1. Early Life and Family Background
Virat Kohli Biography, one of the greatest cricketers of the modern era, was born on 5 November 1988 in Delhi, India. He belonged to a middle-class Punjabi-Hindu family that valued discipline, culture, and education. His father, Prem Nath Kohli, was a criminal lawyer who practiced in Delhi courts, while his mother, Saroj Kohli, was a simple, loving homemaker whose gentle nature balanced the family environment.
Thank you for reading this post. Don't forget to subscribe!
Virat grew up with two siblings — an elder brother named Vikas Kohli and an elder sister named Bhawna Kohli. The Kohli household was modest but filled with warmth, encouragement, and strong family values. Prem Kohli dreamed of giving his children a life full of opportunities, and that sense of support became the foundation on which Virat built his future.
The family lived in Uttam Nagar and later Paschim Vihar, areas of West Delhi. Even though they were not wealthy, they ensured that the children received quality education and exposure to sports.
Rohit or Virat Retired from test cricket see all details is here: Click Now
2. Virat Kohli biography (Childhood) – A Natural Athlete
From a very early age, Virat showed signs of being unusually energetic. Family members often recall that even at 3 years old, he would pick up a bat and mimic strokes while watching cricket on TV. Whenever his father returned home from court, young Virat would rush to him with a bat and ask him to throw balls.
His childhood was filled with cricket in the streets, in the park below the apartment, at school — wherever he found space. Unlike many kids, he did not get tired easily. His endless energy and competitive spirit were noticeable to everyone.
Virat studied at Vishal Bharti Public School in Delhi during his early years. Though he was decent academically, it was clear that cricket was his real calling. His teachers often said that even during breaks or free periods, he would be found practicing shadow batting or discussing cricket scores with friends.
3. Beginning of Formal Cricket Training
By the late 1990s, cricket academies were becoming more common in Delhi. Virat’s father realized that if his son had to grow, he needed professional training, proper coaching, and discipline.
In 1998, at just 9 years old, Virat joined the West Delhi Cricket Academy (WDCA). His first coach was Rajkumar Sharma, a respected name in Delhi’s cricketing circuit.
Rajkumar Sharma immediately noticed something unusual — Virat was not just talented; he was fiercely determined. He was ready to practice for hours without feeling exhausted. Unlike most children, he was extremely focused at a young age.
At the academy, Virat trained rigorously, often playing with boys older than him. Coach Rajkumar Sharma remembers that Virat would cry if he didn’t get a chance to bat longer. His hunger for runs and desire to improve distinguished him from everyone else.
Parallel to his cricket training, Kohli continued his education at Saviour Convent School in Paschim Vihar, where he studied till Class 12.
4. Rising Through the Junior Cricket Ranks
Delhi Under-15
Virat’s first major recognition came in 2002, when he was selected for the Delhi Under-15 team for the Polly Umrigar Trophy. He was around 13 years old.He scored heavily in the tournament, impressing selectors with his technique and maturity.
Captaincy at Under-15 level
The following year, Virat captained the Under-15 side and continued his streak of high performances, scoring hundreds and proving himself a natural leader.
Delhi Under-17
Between 2003–04, he was selected for the Delhi Under-17 team for the Vijay Merchant Trophy. In this tournament, he scored multiple centuries and was one of the most consistent performers.By this time, everyone in Delhi cricket knew that Kohli was a rising star.
5. Moving to Senior Level – Ranji Trophy Debut
Virat progressed fast and was selected in the Delhi senior team for the Ranji Trophy. At just 18 years old, he made his debut in the 2006–07 season.
Tragedy: Death of His Father (Virat Kohli biography)
On 18 December 2006, tragedy struck the Kohli family.
Virat’s father Prem Kohli passed away due to a brain stroke.Virat was only 18.
The most heartbreaking part of the story is that Virat was in the middle of a Ranji match when his father passed away at night. Despite the devastating loss, he returned to the ground the very next morning and batted for Delhi.
He scored crucial runs and helped his team avoid defeat.
This single act showed his emotional strength, dedication, and passion for cricket. Later, Virat mentioned:
“I played because my father would have wanted it. Cricket was everything to him.”
After his father’s death, Virat matured rapidly. His mother became his biggest emotional support, and he worked even harder to fulfill the dreams his father had for him.
6. The 2008 U-19 World Cup – The Turning Point
In 2008, Virat Kohli captained the India Under-19 cricket team in the ICC Under-19 World Cup held in Malaysia.India won the tournament under his leadership.Virat not only contributed with the bat but also displayed exceptional maturity and tactical intelligence as a captain. This World Cup triumph was the launching pad for his international career.Soon after the tournament, he was picked up by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the inaugural IPL season.
7. International Debut for India (2008)
Virat made his ODI debut on 18 August 2008 against Sri Lanka in Dambulla. He was only 19 and looked nervous initially, but the selectors saw long-term potential.
In his early days, he mostly played as an opener due to injuries to senior players like Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag.
His breakthrough performance came in 2009–2010, when he scored his first ODI century against Sri Lanka.
8. Establishing Himself in International Cricket
Between 2010 and 2012, Virat transformed from a young talent into a dependable middle-order batsman.
2011 ICC Cricket World Cup
Virat was part of the Indian squad that won the 2011 ICC World Cup. He became:
the first Indian batsman to score a century on World Cup debut.
In the final, his crucial 35 runs helped stabilize India’s chase.
9. Test Cricket – A New Challenge
Virat made his Test debut in 2011 against West Indies. Initially, he struggled to adapt to the longer format. But soon he evolved into one of the best Test batters in the world.
His transformation came during the 2014–15 tour of Australia, where he scored four centuries in the series as captain.
This was the moment that silenced his critics and marked his arrival as a global superstar.
10. Captaincy Era (2014–2021)
After MS Dhoni retired from Test captaincy in 2014, Virat became the full-time Test captain. Later, he also took charge of ODIs and T20Is.
Under his leadership:
- India became the No. 1 Test team for several years
- India won a Test series in Australia in 2018–19
- India reached the finals of the World Test Championship
- He built one of the fittest, most aggressive Indian teams ever
Virat became known for his fearless attitude, passion, and remarkable fitness culture.
11. Batting Style and Strengths
Virat Kohli’s technique is a blend of classical and modern cricket. His major strengths include:
- Exceptional wrist work
- Perfect balance at the crease
- Amazing running between the wickets
- Strong cover drives and flick shots
- Ability to chase high-pressure targets
- Mental toughness
Especially in run-chases, Kohli became known as:
“The Chase Master”
12. Virat Kohli Personal Life – Marriage and Family
Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma on 11 December 2017 in Italy. Their wedding became one of the most talked-about celebrity events of the decade.
The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Vamika, in January 2021. Later, in 2024, they welcomed their son, Akaay.
Despite being public figures, they are very protective of their children’s privacy.
13. Setbacks, Struggles and Comeback
Every great athlete faces difficult phases. Virat’s major slump came between 2020 and 2022, when he went nearly 3 years without an international century.
Critics started questioning whether he was past his prime.
But in September 2022, Kohli scored a stunning T20I century against Afghanistan — his first in T20Is. This marked the beginning of a powerful resurgence.
In 2023, at the ODI World Cup, he became:
- The highest run-scorer of the tournament
- The first player to score 50 ODI centuries, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar
- This was one of the biggest milestones of his career.
14. Records and Achievements (Summary)
Virat Kohli has broken countless records. Some of his major achievements:
- Most centuries in ODI cricket
- India’s most successful Test captain
- Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 ODI runs
- ICC Cricketer of the Year multiple times
- Winner of Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and Khel Ratna
- Only player with 973 runs in one IPL season (2016)
His consistency across formats makes him one of the all-time greats.
15. Fitness Revolution and Lifestyle
Virat Kohli is one of the fittest athletes in the world. He introduced:
- strict diet regime
- intense gym workouts
- disciplined fitness culture in Indian cricket
He became an icon of athletic transformation, inspiring countless youngsters.
16. Business Ventures and Brand Value
Apart from cricket, Virat is involved in:
- Clothing brand WROGN
- Fitness chain Chisel
- Investments in startups
- Co-owning sports teams in football and tennis
He is one of the most followed athletes on social media and among the highest-paid brand ambassadors.
17. Retirement from Test Cricket (2025)
In early 2025, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, marking the end of an iconic journey in the longest format.
However, he continues to play:
- ODI cricket
- T20 Cricket
- IPL
His fans still expect many more magical innings from him.
18. Legacy – Why Virat Kohli Is a Modern Legend
Virat’s legacy goes far beyond numbers.
He changed:
- the mindset of Indian cricket
- the fitness standards
- the aggression with which India played
- the belief that India could win overseas
He inspired an entire generation to work harder, train smarter, and believe in themselves.Perhaps what makes Virat truly special is his journey:A middle-class boy, driven by passion, supported by his parents, shaped by struggle, motivated by dreams — rising to become one of the greatest cricketers the world has ever seen.
19. ConclusionVirat Kohli’s life story is a blend of passion, discipline, setbacks, courage, and unbelievable success. From the streets of Delhi to the biggest stages in world cricket, he has lived a journey that millions admire.He is not just a cricketer — he is a symbol of modern Indian sports culture.A boy who lost his father at 18, yet carried the burden of dreams stronger than before…A player who faced criticism, failures, and pressure…A champion who rose again and again.Virat Kohli will always remain one of the greatest players of all time.
About the Author
