Virat Kohli the greatest of all time

Kuldeep Singh July 1, 2024

Virat Kohli is surely a name every sports lover remembers. Virat has been an inspiration and an idol for people across the world, not just for his batting but also for his dedication to the game.

Born into a Punjabi family on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, Virat’s love for cricket was evident from an early age. At just nine years old, his father enrolled him in the West Delhi Cricket Academy, run by Raj Kumar Sharma. Despite his evident talent, he faced his first setback when he was not selected for the Delhi U-14 team. However, he later got his chance in the Delhi U-15 side and made his debut for Delhi.

In December 2006, Kohli’s father passed away, leaving him devastated. At the time of his father’s death, Virat was part of the Delhi Ranji Trophy team and was batting at 40 against Karnataka. His father’s passing had a profound impact on his life, leading him to focus entirely on cricket.

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In 2008, Virat Kohli led the Indian Under-19 team to victory in the World Cup held in Malaysia, announcing himself on the global stage.

Following the Under-19 World Cup, the Indian Premier League (IPL) was set to begin, and all franchises needed to pick players from the winning Under-19 squad. Royal Challengers Bangalore picked Virat Kohli, marking the start of his IPL journey.

Virat made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in August 2008 and never looked back. He started playing aggressive and dominating innings, gaining fame when he smashed Lasith Malinga in the Tri-Series in Australia, even though Malinga was in prime form and Virat was new to the team. Virat played his first World Cup in 2011, scoring a century on debut against Bangladesh. He was a crucial part of the 2011 World Cup-winning squad and also made his Test debut in June 2011.

Virat’s consistency sets him apart from others. He has a fighter’s attitude and is always hungry for more.

In 2016, after M.S. Dhoni stepped down as captain of the Indian team, Virat Kohli was the automatic choice and was given the responsibility for all three formats. Although Virat was successful in bilateral competitions, he struggled to succeed globally as a skipper. In September 2021, he stepped down as T20 captain, and later, the BCCI removed him as ODI captain as well. Following a Test series loss in January, Virat stepped down as Test captain to focus on his batting.

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Virat Kohli Personal Life

Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in 2017. The couple had a long relationship before they finally decided to tie the knot. Virat and Anushka have two children, Vamika and Akaay. Known for his philanthropic efforts, Kohli runs the Virat Kohli Foundation, which works towards empowering underprivileged children and supporting aspiring athletes.

Virat Kohli Net Worth and Endorsements

Virat Kohli is not only a cricketing icon but also a brand in himself. As of 2024, his estimated net worth is around $125 million. This wealth comes from his cricketing contracts, endorsements, and business ventures. Kohli is associated with several high-profile brands, including Puma, Audi, and MRF. He also co-owns the fashion brand WROGN and the fitness chain Chisel.

Milestones Achieved

Virat has achieved numerous milestones in his career. He has received almost every major accolade in cricket:

Highest run-scorer in the Indian Premier League.
Record for the most centuries in ODI cricket (50), surpassing Sachin Tendulkar.
Second in the list of most centuries in all formats, behind Sachin Tendulkar.
Winner of the ICC Player of the Year award four times: 2012, 2017, 2018, and 2023.
Recipient of the Arjuna Award in 2013 and the Khel Ratna Award in 2018, the highest honours for a sportsperson in India.
Included in Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.

Declared as the ICC Player of the Decade in 2020.

Virat is still going strong in world cricket. The one trophy missing from his cabinet was the T20 World Cup, but his dream came true in Barbados on June 29, where his knock of 76 runs led his team to victory. Virat has happily retired from T20 cricket but will continue to serve in the ODI and Test formats.

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Virat is widely regarded as one of the greatest to play the game. His batting prowess has undoubtedly made him the greatest of the modern era.