November 5, 2024: Virat Kohli, who turned 36 on Tuesday, continues to be a towering figure in the world of cricket, boasting an illustrious career that spans over 15 years. From his days as a young prodigy leading India to victory in the ICC U19 World Cup to becoming one of the greatest cricketers of all time, Kohli’s journey has been a testament to consistency, determination, and unparalleled skill across all formats.
Virat Kohli’s career began in 2008, and since then, he has become a symbol of Indian cricket’s modern-day dominance—characterized by aggression, fitness, and an unrelenting hunger for success. His achievements are not just about records, but also about how he revolutionized the sport, bringing in an era of fitness, aggression, and world-class performances under pressure.
Test Cricket
Kohli’s Test career has seen incredible highs, especially during the period from 2016 to 2019, when he amassed over 4,200 runs in just 43 Tests at an extraordinary average of 66.79, including 16 centuries and 10 fifties. This run included his record for seven double centuries, the most by a captain in Test history. As Test captain, Kohli’s leadership helped India become a powerhouse, securing 40 wins from 68 matches, with a win percentage of over 58%. His tenure saw India win the ICC World Test Championship titles in 2017-2019 and qualify for WTC finals in 2021 and 2023, along with landmark overseas wins.
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
ODIs are where Kohli truly shines as arguably the greatest of all time in this format. With 13,906 runs in 295 matches at an average of 58.18, Kohli is the third-highest run-scorer in ODIs, with 50 centuries and 72 fifties to his name. He also holds the record for the fastest player to reach multiple milestones in ODI cricket, including 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, and 13,000 runs, with a particular focus on successful run-chases.
Kohli is known as a “chasemaster,” with 5,786 runs at an average of 90.40 in successful chases, including 23 centuries and 25 fifties. His performances in World Cups have also been legendary, particularly in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament for his 765 runs in 11 matches, including three centuries and six fifties.
T20 Internationals (T20Is)
In T20Is, Kohli has been equally exceptional, scoring 4,188 runs in 125 matches at an average of 48.69, with a century and 38 fifties. He remains the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history, with 1,292 runs in 35 matches at an average of 58.72. Kohli has won multiple Player of the Tournament awards in T20 WCs (2014 and 2016), establishing himself as one of the tournament’s brightest stars. His remarkable consistency in run-chases in T20Is (1,651 runs at 78.61) is a testament to his ability to perform under pressure.
ICC Titles and Achievements
Virat Kohli has achieved what few others have in the history of cricket. He is the only player to have won all major ICC titles— the ICC U19 World Cup (2008), the ICC Cricket World Cup (2011), the ICC Champions Trophy (2013), and the ICC World Test Championship mace. He has also been a pivotal player in India’s victorious campaigns in various formats.
Kohli has won the ICC Player of the Decade award (2011-2020), multiple ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year honors, and ICC ODI Player of the Year four times. He is also the only player to have won three Player of the Tournament awards in ICC events, adding to his towering legacy.
Franchise Cricket (IPL)
Kohli’s career in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is equally remarkable, having scored 8,004 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 252 matches, making him the leading run-scorer in the tournament’s history. He has won the Orange Cap (awarded to the highest run-scorer in an IPL season) twice, notably in 2016 when he scored 973 runs in 16 matches at an astonishing average of 81.08, including four centuries. Despite these stellar performances, Kohli’s RCB has yet to win an IPL title, though his individual contributions have been integral to the team’s success.
Virat’s Legacy
Kohli’s legacy extends beyond his numbers; he represents the modern face of Indian cricket—focused, relentless, and technically superior. He has transformed the approach to fitness in Indian cricket, leading by example and inspiring future generations of cricketers to prioritize physical conditioning.
His consistency across formats, ability to perform under pressure, and records in high-stakes matches—such as in World Cups, Champions Trophies, and T20 WCs—make him a global icon. Kohli’s impact on the game is not just statistical but also cultural, helping cricket grow in new territories and reach new audiences globally.
As he celebrates his 36th birthday, Virat Kohli’s journey remains far from over. His name is etched in the history books of cricket, but his quest for more records, titles, and historic moments continues. Whether it’s the 50-over World Cup, the T20 World Cup, or the ICC Test Mace, Kohli will remain a crucial figure in Indian and world cricket for years to come.
