Biography of Virat Kohli (India) Best Cricket Player
Virat Kohli is a name that is synonymous with Indian cricket. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, having shattered numerous records and achieved numerous accolades in his career. Born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, Kohli’s journey to becoming a cricketing superstar was not an easy one. He had to overcome several challenges, both on and off the field, to reach where he is today.
Early Life and Cricketing Beginnings
Virat Kohli’s father, Prem Kohli, worked as a criminal lawyer while his mother, Saroj Kohli, was a homemaker. Virat was the youngest of three siblings, with his elder brother Vikash and sister Bhavna being several years older than him. From a young age, Kohli showed a keen interest in cricket and spent most of his childhood playing the sport with his friends and elder brother.
Kohli’s first brush with professional cricket came when he was just nine years old. He was playing in a local cricket tournament when he caught the attention of Rajkumar Sharma, a former cricketer who was running a local cricket academy. Sharma was impressed by Kohli’s technique and talent and offered to coach him at his academy. Kohli’s parents agreed, and the young cricketer started training under Sharma’s guidance.
Kohli quickly made a name for himself in the local cricket scene, impressing everyone with his natural talent and hard work. He played for the Delhi U-15 team and then the U-17 team, where he was appointed as the captain. Kohli’s performances in these matches caught the eye of the selectors, and he was selected for the U-19 team.
Rise to Prominence
Kohli’s rise to prominence came when he led the Indian U-19 team to victory in the 2008 World Cup. The tournament was held in Malaysia, and Kohli scored 235 runs in six matches, including a century against the West Indies in the quarter-finals. His performances in the tournament earned him the player of the tournament award and made him a household name in India.
After the U-19 World Cup, Kohli was drafted into the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team for the Indian Premier League (IPL). He made his IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders in April 2008 and scored 165 runs in 12 matches at an average of 15.00. The next year, Kohli’s performances improved, and he scored 246 runs in 16 matches at an average of 22.36.
Kohli’s real breakthrough came in the 2010 IPL, where he scored 307 runs in 16 matches at an average of 27.90. He followed it up with a fantastic performance in the 2011 IPL, where he scored 557 runs in 16 matches at an average of 46.41. He was named the player of the tournament and was widely regarded as one of the best young cricketers in the country.
International Debut and Early Years
Kohli made his international debut for India in August 2008 against Sri Lanka in an ODI. He did not get a chance to bat in that match, but he made his mark in the second ODI, scoring 37 runs. He continued to perform well in the series, scoring his maiden half-century in the fourth ODI.
Kohli’s early years in international cricket were marked by inconsistency. He would play a good innings in one match and fail in the next, making it difficult for the selectors to decide on his place in the team. However, Kohli’s talent was never in doubt, and he continued to work hard on his game.
Kohli’s breakthrough in international cricket came during the 2011-12 tour of Australia. In the first test of the series, he scored his maiden test century, becoming the first Indian batsman to do so on debut in Australia. He followed it up with another century in the next match, becoming the youngest Indian to score two test centuries overseas.
Kohli’s performances in the series earned him a permanent place in the Indian team, and he quickly established himself as one of the best batsmen in the world. He played a crucial role in India’s victory in the 2011 World Cup, scoring 282 runs in nine matches at an average of 35.25.
Kohli’s consistent performances in all formats of the game earned him the vice-captaincy of the Indian team in 2012. He took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni in 2014 when the latter retired from test cricket.
Captaincy and Achievements
Kohli’s captaincy marked a new era in Indian cricket. He led the team with aggression and passion, demanding the highest standards from his players. Under his captaincy, India achieved unprecedented success, winning series in Australia, England, and South Africa.
Kohli’s personal achievements as captain are also impressive. He became the fastest player to score 10,000 ODI runs in 2018, achieving the feat in just 205 innings. He also holds the record for the most runs in a calendar year in ODI cricket, scoring 1,460 runs in 2017.
In test cricket, Kohli has scored 7,531 runs in 95 matches at an average of 52.37. He has scored 27 test centuries, including six double centuries. In ODI cricket, he has scored 12,169 runs in 254 matches at an average of 59.07, with 43 centuries and 62 half-centuries.
Kohli’s success as a batsman and captain has earned him numerous accolades. He has won the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year twice, in 2017 and 2018. He has also been named the ICC ODI Player of the Year three times, in 2012, 2017, and 2018.
Off the Field
Kohli is not only a great cricketer but also a philanthropist and a businessman. In 2013, he launched the Virat Kohli Foundation, which works towards the betterment of underprivileged children and young athletes. The foundation has supported various initiatives, including the construction of schools in rural areas and the provision of sports facilities to underprivileged children.
Kohli is also a successful businessman. He has endorsed several brands, including Adidas, Audi, and Puma. He has also invested in various ventures, including a chain of gyms and a fashion label.
Kohli Personal Life
Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in December 2017. The couple met during the shooting of a commercial and have been together since then. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Vamika, in January 2021.
Kohli is known for his aggressive on-field persona, but off the field, he is known to be a humble and grounded person. He has often spoken about the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving success.
Conclusion
Virat Kohli’s journey from a young cricket enthusiast to a cricketing superstar is truly inspirational. His hard work, dedication, and passion for the game have earned him numerous accolades and made him one of the greatest cricketers of all time. As he continues to lead the Indian team and break records, there is no doubt that Kohli will go down in history as a true