History of Virat Kohli in Timeline

Virat Kohli is a prominent Indian international cricketer, formerly captaining the national team. A right-handed batsman and occasional bowler, he represents Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL and Delhi domestically. Widely considered one of cricket's greatest batsmen, he holds the record for most ODI centuries and is the highest run-scorer in the IPL. Kohli contributed to India's victories in the 2011 Cricket World Cup and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. As captain, India held the ICC World Test Championship Mace from 2016-2020, winning the end-of-season prize three times.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

November 1988: Virat Kohli's birth

In November 1988, Virat Kohli was born in Delhi to a Punjabi Hindu family. His father, Prem Nath Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, is a homemaker. He spent his early years in Uttam Nagar.

1998: West Delhi Cricket Academy

In 1998, the West Delhi Cricket Academy was created. In May, Virat Kohli's father arranged for him to meet Rajkumar Sharma, later enrolling him in the academy due to his evident talent.

October 2002: Junior Cricket Debut

In October 2002, Virat Kohli began his junior cricket career at the Luhnu Cricket Ground against Himachal Pradesh.

2003: Captain of U-15 Team

During the 2003-04 season of the Polly Umrigar Trophy, Virat Kohli was appointed captain of the U-15 team.

2004: Selection for Vijay Merchant Trophy

Towards the end of 2004, Virat Kohli was selected for the 2004–05 Vijay Merchant Trophy with the Delhi U-17 team.

2005: Exceptional Performance in 2005-06 Season

Virat Kohli began the 2005–06 season with a score of 227 against Punjab and went on to score 228 runs in the semi-finals against Baroda, leading Delhi to victory in the tournament, finishing as the highest run-scorer.

February 2006: List A Cricket Debut

On February 18, 2006, Virat Kohli made his debut in List A cricket, playing against Services in the Ranji One-Day Trophy, but did not bat.

July 2006: Selection in India Under-19 Squad

In July 2006, Virat Kohli was selected for the India Under-19 squad on its tour of England, where he performed well in both ODI and Test series.

November 2006: First-Class Debut and Father's Death

In November 2006, Virat Kohli made his first-class debut in the Ranji Trophy against Tamil Nadu. During the match against Karnataka, his father passed away, but Kohli returned to score 90 runs, helping Delhi avoid a follow-on.

December 2006: Death of Virat Kohli's Father

On December 18, 2006, Virat Kohli's father passed away due to a cerebral attack. This event profoundly impacted Kohli, leading him to dedicate himself fully to cricket.

April 2007: T20 Debut

In April 2007, Virat Kohli made his T20 debut during the Inter-State T20 Championship, emerging as the top run-getter for his team.

2007: Tours with India U-19 Team

In early 2007, Virat Kohli toured New Zealand with the India U-19 team, scoring 113 in the first Test match. Later, he participated in a tri-series in Malaysia and a tour against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, achieving varying degrees of success.

June 2008: Border-Gavaskar Scholarship

In June 2008, Virat Kohli along with his U-19 teammates Pradeep Sangwan and Tanmay Srivastava was awarded the Border–Gavaskar scholarship and was selected to represent India Emerging Players in the Emerging Players Tournament 2008, where he performed well against New Zealand Emerging Players.

August 2008: International Career Begins

In August 2008, Virat Kohli's international career began with a call-up to the ODI squad for a tour of Sri Lanka due to injuries to senior players. He scored his first half-century in the fourth match.

Sep 2008: Nissar Trophy Performance

In Sep 2008, Virat Kohli played in the Nissar Trophy against SNGPL, scoring 52 runs in the first innings and 197 in the second.

2008: U-19 World Cup Victory

In 2008, Virat Kohli led the Indian squad to victory in the U-19 World Cup held in Malaysia. He was the tournament's third-highest scorer and made a century against the West Indies Under-19s.

2008: Acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore

In 2008, Virat Kohli was acquired by Royal Challengers Bangalore for $50,000 following his performances in the Under-19 World Cup. He concluded the season with 165 runs, as Bangalore finished seventh in the league standings.

2008: Signed by Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment

In 2008, Virat Kohli was approached by Bunty Sajdeh of Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment after his performance in the ICC Under-19 World Cup. After being recommended by Yuvraj Singh, Kohli was signed to Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment.

December 2009: Maiden ODI Century

In December 2009, Virat Kohli scored his maiden ODI century against Sri Lanka.

2009: Ranji Trophy Performance

During the 2009–10 Ranji Trophy season, Virat Kohli opened the batting against Maharashtra and scored 67 runs, contributing to Delhi securing a bonus point for victory.

2009: Runners-up in the IPL season

In 2009, Virat Kohli found form with a half-century in the third match. He made crucial contributions, notably in the semi-final victory over Chennai Super Kings. Bangalore lost to Deccan Chargers by eight runs in the final, finishing as runners-up.

2010: Consistent Performances

By early 2010, Virat Kohli became the third Indian to score two ODI centuries before turning 22, setting the stage for consistent performances.

2010: Vice-Captain Appointment

In 2010, Virat Kohli was appointed vice-captain for a tri-series in Zimbabwe and became the then fastest Indian to score 1,000 ODI runs.

2010: Elevated to vice-captain in Royal Challengers Bangalore

In 2010, Virat Kohli was elevated to the role of vice-captain for Royal Challengers Bangalore. He emerged as a reliable middle-order batter and an athletic fielder. Bangalore reached the playoffs but were eliminated by Mumbai Indians in the semi-final.

June 2011: Test Debut

In June 2011, Virat Kohli made his Test debut against the West Indies.

2011: 2011 Cricket World Cup Victory

In 2011, Virat Kohli was a member of the Indian team that won the Cricket World Cup.

2011: Retained by Bangalore for $1.8 million

In 2011, Virat Kohli was the sole player retained by Bangalore for $1.8 million. He hit peak form with a string of impactful innings and stepped in as captain during Daniel Vettori’s absence. Bangalore advanced to the final, where Kohli contributed 35 runs in a losing cause. He concluded the season with 557 runs, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer.

January 2012: Maiden Test Century

In January 2012, Virat Kohli scored his maiden Test century in Adelaide.

2012: Recognized by GQ as one of the best-dressed men

In 2012, Virat Kohli was recognized as one of the best-dressed men by the fashion magazine GQ, appearing on their annual list alongside figures such as Barack Obama.

2012: ICC ODI Player of the Year Award

In 2012, Virat Kohli won the ICC ODI Player of the Year award.

2012: Assumed captaincy of Royal Challengers Bangalore

In the 2012 IPL season, Virat Kohli experienced an inconsistent run but assumed captaincy from Vettori midway through the season. However, he could not guide Bangalore into the playoffs. Kohli ended the campaign with 364 runs.

2012: Wearing Kara on Right Arm

Since 2012, Virat Kohli has been observed sporting a kara, a traditional bangle often worn for religious or spiritual purposes, on his right arm.

2013: Tendulkar's retirement and Kohli's tribute

In 2013, Sachin Tendulkar retired from international cricket, Kohli, who played alongside Tendulkar in the team, honoured him by presenting him with a sacred thread that had been gifted to him by his late father.

2013: Romantic Association with Anushka Sharma

In 2013, Virat Kohli began his romantic association with Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, earning them the moniker "Virushka".

2013: Establishment of Virat Kohli Foundation

In 2013, Virat Kohli established the "Virat Kohli Foundation," a philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged children.

2013: Key role in Champions Trophy win and captaincy debut

In 2013, Virat Kohli played a key role in India's Champions Trophy win. He was also appointed captain for the first time during a tri-series in the West Indies, where he scored his first century as skipper and established the fastest ODI century by an Indian.

2013: Arjuna Award

In 2013, Virat Kohli was honored with the Arjuna Award.

2013: 2013 ICC Champions Trophy Win

In 2013, Virat Kohli was part of the Indian team that won the ICC Champions Trophy.

2013: Full-time captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore

In 2013, Virat Kohli was promoted to full-time captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore. Despite Kohli's individual scores, including a 99-run innings, Bangalore failed to qualify for the playoffs.

2013: Brand Endorsements Valued Over ₹100 Crore

In 2013, Virat Kohli's brand endorsements were valued at over ₹100 crore (US$12 million).

2014: Brand Value at $56.4 Million

In 2014, American Appraisal determined Virat Kohli's brand value to be $56.4 million, placing him fourth on the list of India's most valued celebrity brands.

2014: Initial Business Foray

In 2014, Virat Kohli became a co-owner of the Indian Super League club FC Goa. He launched WROGN, a brand focused on men's casual wear and became a shareholder and brand ambassador for Sport Convo.

2014: Challenging campaign in IPL

In 2014, Virat Kohli endured one of his most challenging campaigns, with a series of low scores and multiple ducks. Bangalore lost six of their first nine matches and was eventually eliminated from playoff contention. Kohli ended the season with a 73 against Chennai.

2014: Difficult tour of England and T20 World Cup performance

In 2014, Virat Kohli had a difficult tour of England, averaging 13.4. However, he regained form and was named the full-time Test captain following MS Dhoni's retirement during the tour of Australia. He also received the Man of the Tournament award at the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 for his 319 runs in the tournament.

2014: Participation in Charity Auction

In 2014, the Virat Kohli Foundation participated in a charity auction organized by eBay and Save the Children India.

2015: 2015 World Cup and Test series win in Sri Lanka

In 2015, Virat Kohli had a strong start to the World Cup with a century against Pakistan, but his tournament ended with a score of 1 in the semi-final loss to Australia. Following this, he experienced a dip in form but secured his first Test series win as captain in Sri Lanka.

2015: Consistent returns in IPL

In 2015, Virat Kohli opened the batting for Bangalore alongside Gayle and maintained consistent returns, scoring 505 runs in 16 matches. Under Kohli's captaincy, Bangalore reached the playoffs but were eliminated in Qualifier 2 by Chennai.

2015: Family Relocation to Gurgaon

In 2015, Virat Kohli's family relocated from Meera Bagh, Paschim Vihar, to Gurgaon.

October 2016: Brand Worth Increased to $92 Million

In October 2016, Virat Kohli's brand worth had increased to $92 million, second only to that of Shah Rukh Khan, according to a report by Duff & Phelps.

2016: Launch of Stepathlon Kids

In 2016, Virat Kohli helped launch Stepathlon Kids, an initiative aiming to encourage children to adopt healthy lifestyles.

2016: Player of the Tournament at ICC World T20

In 2016, Virat Kohli was named Player of the Tournament at the ICC World T20. During this year, he was the first batsman to score double centuries in four consecutive Test series, marking a peak phase in his career.

2016: Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World

In 2016, Virat Kohli was named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World.

2016: Partnership with Smile Foundation and ABIL Foundation

In 2016, the Virat Kohli Foundation partnered with the Smile Foundation to support education for underprivileged children, hosting a charity dinner at the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai. Kohli also partnered with the ABIL Foundation to aid senior citizens in old-age homes.

2016: ICC World Test Championship Mace

In 2016, under Virat Kohli's captaincy, India held the ICC World Test Championship Mace.

2016: Record-breaking season in IPL

The 2016 season marked a significant phase in Virat Kohli's career as he registered his maiden T20 century against Gujarat and scored four centuries over the course of the tournament. Kohli finished the season with a record 973 runs, claiming both the Orange Cap and the Most Valuable Player award. Bangalore reached the final but lost to Hyderabad by 8 runs.

December 2017: Marriage to Anushka Sharma

On 11 December 2017, Virat Kohli married Anushka Sharma in an intimate ceremony held in Florence, Italy.

2017: Difficult campaign in IPL due to shoulder injury

At the onset of 2017 IPL season, Virat Kohli missed the opening three matches due to a shoulder injury but returned with a 62-run innings against Mumbai. Bangalore were eliminated early, finishing at the bottom of the table. He was named in ESPNcricinfo’s all-time IPL XI as part of the league's tenth-anniversary recognitions.

2017: Endorsement Deal with Puma

In 2017, Virat Kohli entered into an eight-year endorsement agreement with Puma, worth around ₹1.1 billion (US$13 million). This made Kohli the first Indian athlete to sign a brand endorsement contract valued at ₹100 crore (US$12 million) with a brand.

2017: International Gala and Establishment of ADP

In 2017, Virat Kohli hosted a gala dinner in London to support the Justice and Care organization. The Athlete Development Programme (ADP) was established to support young athletes with guidance in coaching, training, fitness, and nutrition.

2017: Partnership with Puma and Establishment of Nueva

In 2017, Virat Kohli partnered with Puma to introduce his athletic lifestyle brand, One8. He also established Nueva, a fine-dining restaurant in New Delhi, and launched One8 Commune, a chain of restaurant bars.

2017: Captaincy for Champions Trophy

In 2017, Virat Kohli was appointed captain for the Champions Trophy, where India finished as runners-up. During this time, he broke numerous records, including becoming the fastest to 8,000, 10,000, and 11,000 ODI runs.

2017: Forbes Ranking

In 2017, Virat Kohli was recognized by Forbes as the seventh "Most Valuable Brand among Athletes", with a brand estimation of $14.5 million. By September of the same year, Kohli had amassed endorsement agreements with 17 distinct brands, and announced he would only endorse products he uses and believes in.

2017: ICC Awards and Padma Shri

In 2017, Virat Kohli won the ICC ODI Player of the Year award, the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy (ICC Cricketer of the Year), and was honored with the Padma Shri.

2018: Most expensive player

Ahead of 2018, Virat Kohli was retained for ₹17 crore, making him the most expensive player at the time. Bangalore failed to advance beyond the league stage due to heavy reliance on Kohli and de Villiers, alongside an underperforming bowling unit.

2018: Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People

In 2018, Time magazine included Virat Kohli on its list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

2018: No. 1 ranked Test batsman and Test series victory in Australia

In 2018, Virat Kohli became the No. 1 ranked Test batsman and led India to their first-ever Test series victory in Australia, marking a significant milestone in his career.

2018: Adoption of Vegetarian Diet

In 2018, Virat Kohli disclosed that he had made the decision to adopt a vegetarian diet in an effort to alleviate the symptoms of a cervical spine issue caused by elevated levels of uric acid.

2018: ICC Awards and Khel Ratna

In 2018, Virat Kohli won the ICC ODI Player of the Year award, the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, was named Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World, and received the Khel Ratna award.

2018: Documentary Released on National Geographic Channel

In 2018, a documentary highlighting Virat Kohli's cricketing career was released on National Geographic channel. The film aimed to celebrate his accomplishments in the sport.

March 2019: Brand Ambassador of Mobile Premier League

In March 2019, Virat Kohli was named the brand ambassador of the mobile esports platform, Mobile Premier League.

November 2019: Scored his 70th international century

In November 2019, Virat Kohli scored his 70th international century. This achievement was followed by a prolonged lean patch in his career.

2019: Investment in Mobile Premier League

In 2019, Virat Kohli invested in Galactus Funware Technology Pvt Ltd, the parent company of Mobile Premier League (MPL).

2019: Wax Figure Unveiled at Madame Tussauds London

In 2019, on the eve of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Madame Tussauds unveiled a wax figure of Virat Kohli in London. In 2019, on the eleventh anniversary of his international debut, Kohli was honoured with a stand named after him at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi. Also in 2019, an Indian animated superhero television series entitled Super V premiered, featuring a fictionalized portrayal of Kohli's teenage years and his discovery of superpowers.

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2019: Bangalore failed to reach the playoffs again

The 2019 season began with Virat Kohli moving down the order, a tactical change that did not yield the desired results. Bangalore had lost their first six matches and again failed to reach the playoffs, leading to increased scrutiny over his long captaincy tenure.

2020: Struggled for runs

From 2020, Virat Kohli struggled for runs and stepped down from the T20I, ODI, and Test captaincy in succession.

2020: Ranked 66th in Forbes Top 100 Highest-Paid Athletes

In 2020, Virat Kohli attained the 66th spot in Forbes compilation of the top 100 highest-paid athletes in the world for the year 2020, with estimated earnings exceeding $26 million.

2020: Donations to COVID-19 Relief Funds

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Virat Kohli and his wife, Anushka Sharma, pledged donations to the PM CARES Fund and the Maharashtra Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

2020: ICC World Test Championship Mace

In 2020, under Virat Kohli's captaincy, India held the ICC World Test Championship Mace.

2020: Investment in Digit

In early 2020, Virat Kohli and his spouse, jointly invested ₹2.5 crore in Digit, an insurance-based startup.

2020: Qualified for playoffs in IPL

In the 2020 IPL season, after a slow start, Virat Kohli delivered several steady innings that helped Bangalore qualify for the playoffs. However, his conservative strike rate and early dismissal in the eliminator contributed to the team's exit.

January 2021: Birth of Daughter Vamika

On 11 January 2021, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma had their first child, a daughter named Vamika.

April 2021: Brand Ambassador for Vivo

In April 2021, Vivo appointed Virat Kohli as their brand ambassador ahead of the Indian Premier League.

2021: Athlete-Investor and Ambassador for Hyperice, Blue Tribe, and Rage Coffee

In 2021, Virat Kohli became an athlete-investor and ambassador for Hyperice, a wellness brand. He extended his support to Blue Tribe, a startup specializing in plant-based meat products and invested in Rage Coffee, a coffee brand, and was appointed its brand ambassador.

2021: Stepping down from captaincy

In 2021, Virat Kohli reached multiple individual milestones, including becoming the first player to play 200 matches for Bangalore and surpassing 10,000 runs in T20 cricket. Midway through the season, Kohli announced his decision to step down from captaincy at the end of the campaign. Bangalore again reached the playoffs, but Kohli's dip in form coincided with the team's elimination.

2021: Fundraising Campaign and Animal Rehabilitation Center

In 2021, amidst India's severe second wave, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma organized a fundraising campaign on Ketto titled '#InThisTogether', raising over ₹11 crore for COVID relief efforts. Also in 2021, the Virat Kohli foundation collaborated with the Awaaz Foundation to establish a rehabilitation center for stray animals in Mumbai.

2022: Stepped down from captaincy

In 2022, Virat Kohli continued to struggle for runs and stepped down from the T20I, ODI, and Test captaincy in succession.

2022: Struggled to perform in IPL

In 2022, Virat Kohli faced a prolonged lean patch, recording multiple low scores and three ducks. He responded with a 73-run innings in a must-win match that secured Bangalore a place in the playoffs, but failed to make a significant impact in the knockout games. The season concluded without a title.

2022: Earnings of ₹634 crore

In 2022, Virat Kohli's estimated earnings were ₹634 crore (US$75 million), making him one of the most commercially viable athletes.

2022: Return to form at Asia Cup and T20 World Cup

In 2022, Virat Kohli's return to form began at the Asia Cup, where he scored his maiden T20I century, his first in any format in over 1,000 days. He was also the highest run-scorer at the 2022 T20 World Cup, playing an impactful innings of 82* against Pakistan.

January 2023: Most Marketable Cricketer

In January 2023, Virat Kohli was regarded as the most marketable cricketer, with annual earnings estimated at ₹165 crore (US$20 million). As of January 2023, he is recognized as the most followed Asian individual on Instagram and commands a fee of ₹8.9 crore (equivalent to ₹9.4 crore or US$1.1 million in 2023) for each sponsored post on the platform.

2023: Player of the Tournament at the World Cup

In 2023, Virat Kohli's peak resurgence came at the World Cup on home soil where he was named the Player of the Tournament for scoring a record 765 runs in a single edition. During the tournament, he also scored his 50th ODI hundred, surpassing Tendulkar's long-standing record.

2023: Back-to-back centuries

In the inaugural match of the 2023 season, Virat Kohli began with an unbeaten 82 against Mumbai and maintained steady form. Despite ending the season with back-to-back centuries, surpassing Gayle's record for most IPL hundreds. Bangalore failed to secure a playoff spot.

2023: ICC ODI Player of the Year Award 2023

Virat Kohli won the ICC ODI Player of the Year award in 2023.

February 2024: Birth of Son Akaay

On 15 February 2024, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma welcomed their second child, a son named Akaay.

2024: Earned the Orange Cap for the second time

Further in 2024, Kohli played in rhythm, scoring several fifties and a career-best unbeaten 113 against Rajasthan, though it came in a defeat. Bangalore recovered from a six-match losing streak with a six-match winning streak to enter the playoffs, with Kohli contributing significantly, including a notable 92 off 47. He ended the season with 741 runs at 61.75, earning the Orange Cap for the second time.

2024: 2024 T20 World Cup Victory

In 2024, Virat Kohli was a member of the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup.

May 2025: Investment in Agilitas and World Bowling League

In May 2025, Virat Kohli joined Agilitas as an investor and became a Strategic Investor in the World Bowling League (WBL), concluding his eight-year contract with Puma.

May 2025: Retirement from Test cricket announced

On 12 May 2025, Virat Kohli announced that the Test-series would be his last, marking his retirement from Test cricket after poor Border-Gavaskar Trophy performances.

2025: 2025 Champions Trophy

In 2025, Virat Kohli was a member of the Indian team that won the Champions Trophy.

2025: Won first IPL championship

In the 2025 IPL season, Kohli scored 657 runs in 15 innings at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 146.5, finishing as the tournament's third-highest run-scorer. In the final against Punjab Kings, he contributed 43 runs off 35 balls as Bengaluru posted 190/9, eventually winning the match by six runs. The victory marked the franchise's first IPL title, ending an 18-year wait. It was also Kohli's first IPL championship in 18 seasons with the team.