A dynamic, stocky teenager with stylishly gelled hair burst onto the cricketing scene, catapulting India to triumph in the Under-19 World Cup at Kuala Lumpur in early 2008. In a team adorned with revered icons, Virat Kohli ‘s brash, ‘bad-boy’ demeanor set him apart.
Batting Career Summary
| M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | 4s | 6s | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 111 | 187 | 11 | 8676 | 254 | 49.3 | 15708 | 55.23 | 29 | 7 | 29 | 966 | 24 |
| ODI | 289 | 277 | 44 | 13626 | 183 | 58.48 | 14565 | 93.55 | 49 | 0 | 70 | 1276 | 149 |
| T20I | 115 | 107 | 31 | 4008 | 122 | 52.74 | 2905 | 137.97 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 356 | 117 |
| IPL | 237 | 229 | 34 | 7263 | 113 | 37.25 | 5586 | 130.02 | 7 | 0 | 50 | 643 | 234 |
Bowling Career Summary
| M | Inn | B | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Econ | Avg | SR | 5W | 10W | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 111 | 11 | 175 | 84 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 2.88 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODI | 289 | 49 | 644 | 667 | 4 | 1/15 | 1/15 | 6.21 | 166.75 | 161.0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 115 | 13 | 152 | 204 | 4 | 1/13 | 1/13 | 8.05 | 51.0 | 38.0 | 0 | 0 |
| IPL | 237 | 26 | 251 | 368 | 4 | 2/25 | 2/25 | 8.8 | 92.0 | 62.75 | 0 | 0 |
Ascending through the Ranks
His induction into the senior Men in Blue squad occurred in Sri Lanka in August 2008. Kohli, seizing an opportunity as an opener due to the absence of regular players, showcased commendable performances, contributing to India’s ODI series victory. Yet, the formidable pair of Tendulkar and Sehwag kept him on the periphery.
Undeterred, the 20-year-old continued to dazzle for Delhi, underscoring his readiness for a higher stage. A standout moment came in Australia in 2009, where he dominated the Emerging Players tournament, amassing 398 runs and steering his team to victory.
National Cementation
Given another chance by the selectors, Kohli repaid their faith with a string of impressive performances. His maiden ODI century against Sri Lanka in December 2009 marked the beginning of many remarkable innings, often excelling in run-chases. The pinnacle came in the 2011 World Cup final, where his partnership with Gautam Gambhir set the stage for MS Dhoni’s iconic knock, securing India’s triumph.
Amidst grappling for a Test spot, Kohli faced challenges during India’s tour Down Under. Despite initial struggles, he delivered breakthrough performances in Perth and Adelaide, ending the series with a memorable century. Simultaneously, he set ODI records, becoming the fastest to milestones like 9000 runs.
The Breakthrough Innings
One innings defines a career; for Kohli, it was a scintillating 133* against Sri Lanka, chasing an improbable 321. This knock showcased his aggressive batting and established him as the king of run-chases, setting numerous ODI records.
Batting Prowess and Techniques
Known for his aggression, Kohli channels his intensity into batting. His sound yet slightly unconventional technique enables him to judge the ball’s length early, with quick wrists against fast bowlers and nimble footwork against spinners. Filling the shoes of his predecessors, Kohli’s adaptability and consistency have set new standards in modern batsmanship.
Captaincy and Evolution
Assuming captaincy in the absence of MS Dhoni, Kohli silenced critics with fluent hundreds in Australia. Despite challenges, he led India to the No. 1 Test ranking and emerged as a dominant force in limited-overs cricket. However, his captaincy faced scrutiny, marked by controversy towards the end.
The Final Frontier
Kohli conquered personal milestones in South Africa and England, displaying tighter technique and consistency. Despite India’s series losses, Kohli’s individual brilliance, fastest to 10,000 ODI runs, and record-breaking performances continued.
IPL Journey
In the IPL, Kohli’s allegiance to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has been unwavering since 2008. Under mentors like Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble, he evolved into the franchise’s backbone. Kohli’s captaincy from 2012 coincided with consistent batting prowess, including a record-breaking 973 runs in 2016. Despite individual brilliance, an IPL title has eluded him and RCB.
As of March 2023, Kohli’s career stands as a testament to his evolution from a spunky teenager to a cricketing maestro, rewriting records and etching his name in the annals of the sport.