History of Virat Kohli in Timeline

Virat Kohli is an Indian international cricketer, renowned as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. A right-handed batsman and former captain across all formats, he holds numerous records, including the most ODI centuries. He is also a former captain to lead India to three consecutive Test mace wins. Known as 'King Kohli' and 'The Chase Master' for his aggressive playing style and exceptional run-scoring ability, he is the highest run-scorer in the Indian Premier League.

Sections (4)

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

November 1988: Birth in Delhi

In November 1988, Virat Kohli was born in Delhi to a Punjabi Hindu family. His mother is a housewife and his father was a criminal lawyer.

1998: West Delhi Cricket Academy

In 1998, the West Delhi Cricket Academy was created, and Kohli's father arranged for him to meet Rajkumar Sharma to potentially enroll in a professional cricket academy.

October 2002: Junior Cricket Debut

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

2003: Captain of U-15 Team

In 2003, Kohli was appointed the captain of the Delhi U-15 team.

2004: Vijay Merchant Trophy Selection

Towards the end of 2004, Kohli was selected for the 2004–05 Vijay Merchant Trophy with the Delhi U-17 team, amassing 470 runs in four matches.

2005: Impressive Performance in 2005-06 Season

In 2005, Kohli started the 2005-06 season with a score of 227 against Punjab and later scored 228 runs in the semi-finals against Baroda, leading Delhi to victory and eventually securing the tournament with a win over Mumbai. He finished as the highest run-scorer with 757 runs from 7 matches.

February 2006: List A Cricket Debut

In February 2006, Kohli made his debut in List A cricket, playing against Services in the Ranji One-Day Trophy, but he did not get the opportunity to bat during the match.

July 2006: Selection in India Under-19 Squad

In July 2006, Kohli was selected in the India Under-19 squad for the tour of England, where he averaged 105 in the ODI series and 49 in the Test series.

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

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

December 2006: Father's Death

On December 18, 2006, Kohli's father died due to a cerebral attack, leading Kohli to take cricket more seriously.

April 2007: T20 Debut

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

2007: Kohli Joins Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL

In 2007, Virat Kohli was selected by Royal Challengers Bangalore for $50,000 through a draft for the Indian Premier League, influenced by his performance in the U19 World Cup.

2007: India U-19 Team Tours

In early 2007, Kohli was part of the India U-19 team that toured New Zealand, where he scored 113 in the first Test match. Later in the year, he participated in a tri-series in Malaysia and a tour against Sri Lanka Under-19s and Bangladesh Under-19s.

June 2008: Border-Gavaskar Scholarship

In June 2008, Kohli was awarded the Border–Gavaskar scholarship and got the opportunity to train at Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence in Brisbane. He also represented India Emerging Players in the Emerging Players Tournament 2008, where he played a knock of 120 runs against New Zealand Emerging Players.

August 18, 2008: International Debut

On August 18, 2008, at the age of 19, Kohli made his international debut in the first ODI of the Sri Lanka tour.

Sep 2008: Nissar Trophy Performance

In September 2008, Kohli played in Nissar Trophy against SNGPL and emerged as the leading scorer for Delhi in both innings.

2008: U-19 World Cup Victory

In 2008, Kohli led the Indian squad and won the 2008 U-19 World Cup held in Malaysia. He amassed 235 runs at an average of 47.

2008: Signed with Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment

In 2008, Kohli was signed by Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment after Yuvraj Singh's recommendation due to his impressive leadership skills and attitude shown in the ICC Under-19 World Cup.

2009: Emerging Players Tournament

In 2009, Kohli participated in the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia, where he finished as the leading run-scorer with 398 runs. His performance helped lead his team to victory against the South Africa Emerging Players in Brisbane. Kohli stated that this tournament was a "turning point" in his career.

2009: Kohli's ODI Debut and Maiden Century

In 2009, Virat Kohli became a part of the Indian squad for the tri-series in Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy. He was included in the team for the ODI series against Sri Lanka and scored his maiden ODI century, 107 off 114 balls while sharing a 224 run partnership with Gautam Gambhir. India won the series 3–1 as a result.

2009: Ranji Trophy Season

In the 2009, Kohli returned to domestic cricket during the 2009–10 Ranji Trophy season, where he scored 67 runs against Maharashtra.

January 2010: Kohli's Performance in Bangladesh Tri-Nation ODI Tournament

In January 2010, Virat Kohli played in the tri-nation ODI tournament in Bangladesh and became the third Indian player to score two ODI centuries before the age of 22. He was the leading run-scorer of the series, with 275 runs from 5 innings at an average of 91.66.

June 2010: Kohli Appointed Vice-Captain for Tri-Series

In June 2010, Virat Kohli was appointed as vice-captain for the tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. He also made his International T20 debut against Zimbabwe at Harare, where he scored an unbeaten 26.

2010: Kohli's Continued Success in ODIs

In October 2010, Virat Kohli scored a century against Australia, earning him the man of the match award. He scored another match-winning century against New Zealand, marking his fourth ODI hundred and second in succession. The Indian team won the series 5–0 and his performances solidified his position in the ODI team. Kohli was India's leading run-scorer in ODIs in 2010, accumulating 995 runs from 25 matches.

2010: Kohli's role as Vice-Captain in IPL 2010

In the 2010 season of the IPL, Virat Kohli was the vice-captain for RCB. He played a key role in a victory over Kings XI Punjab, scored 58 runs against the Deccan Chargers, and contributed 47 runs in a match against the Mumbai Indians in the Champions League Twenty20.

January 2011: Kohli's Performance in South Africa and World Cup Selection

In January 2011, Virat Kohli was India's leading run scorer in the five-match ODI series in the South African tour, with 193 runs including two fifties. He jumped to number two spot on the ICC Rankings for men's ODI batters, and was named in India's 15-man squad for the World Cup.

July 2011: Kohli's Test Debut in West Indies

In July 2011, Virat Kohli made his Test debut at Kingston during India's tour of the West Indies. He amassed just 76 runs from five innings, struggling against the short ball.

October 2011: Kohli's Success in Home ODI Series Against England

In October 2011, Virat Kohli was the leading run scorer of the five-match home ODI series against England, which India won 5–0. He scored 270 runs across 5 matches at an average of 90, including an unbeaten knock of 112 from 98 balls at Delhi. Due to his ODI success, Kohli was included in the Test squad to face the West Indies in November.

Dec 2011: Kohli's Maiden Test Century in Australia

In December 2011, during India's tour of Australia, Virat Kohli top scored in each of India's innings in the third Test at Perth. In the fourth and final match at Adelaide, Kohli scored his maiden Test century, 116 runs in the first innings. Although India suffered a 0–4 whitewash, Kohli was India's top run-scorer in the series.

2011: ODI World Cup Win

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

2011: Kohli Retained by RCB and Captains IPL Match

Prior to the 2011 season of the IPL, Virat Kohli was retained by Bangalore for US$1.8 million. Kohli scored 56 runs against the Delhi Daredevils and was awarded the player of the match. With regular captain Daniel Vettori injured, Kohli captained his side for the first time in an IPL match.

2012: Kohli's Captaincy and Performance in IPL 2012

During the 2012 season, Virat Kohli scored 57 runs against the Chennai Super Kings and 45 runs against the Kings XI Punjab. Daniel Vettori stepped down as captain, and Kohli took over the leadership role for the remaining matches of the season. He scored 73* against the Delhi Daredevils and accumulated 364 runs during the season.

2012: ODI Player of the Year

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

2013: Champions Trophy win and ODI Rankings

In 2013, Kohli was a key member of the Indian team that won the Champions Trophy, and he was also ranked number one in the ODI batting rankings.

2013: Arjuna Award

In 2013, Kohli was honored with the Arjuna Award.

2013: Tendulkar's Retirement and Kohli's potential

In 2013, Sachin Tendulkar retired from international cricket, marking the end of an era. Tendulkar also proclaimed that Kohli possesses the potential to surpass his record of 100 international centuries, acknowledging Kohli's batting aptitude.

2013: Virat Kohli Foundation Founded

In 2013, Virat Kohli founded the "Virat Kohli Foundation" to support underprivileged children, collaborating with NGOs to raise awareness and support for their welfare.

2013: Started Dating Anushka Sharma

In 2013, Virat Kohli met actress Anushka Sharma on the set of an advertisement and they started dating, gaining the moniker "Virushka" from fans.

2013: Kohli's Full-Time Captaincy for RCB in IPL 2013

Starting from the 2013 season of the IPL, Virat Kohli assumed the role of full-time captain for the Bangalore team. Kohli scored an unbeaten 93 against Hyderabad, his highest individual score in Twenty20 cricket at that time. He scored 99 before being run out on the final delivery against Delhi. Bangalore's season ended during the group stage.

2014: Kohli's Brand Value

In 2014, American Appraisal evaluated Kohli's brand value at $56.4 million, ranking him fourth among India's most valued celebrity brands.

2014: Launched Fashion Brand WROGN

In 2014, Kohli partnered with Universal Sportsbiz to launch the men's casual wear clothing brand WROGN, collaborating with retail outlets like Myntra and Shopper's Stop.

2014: Player of the Tournament in T20 World Cup

In 2014, Virat Kohli was named the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup, marking one of two occasions he has achieved this honor.

2014: Charity Auction Participation

In 2014, the Virat Kohli Foundation participated in a charity auction organized by eBay and Save the Children India, using the proceeds to support the education and healthcare of underprivileged children.

2015: Number One T20I Ranking

In 2015, Kohli achieved the number one ranking in T20I.

2015: Invested in Health Clubs

In 2015, Kohli invested ₹90 crore towards establishing "Chisel", a chain of health clubs and fitness centers throughout India, in a joint venture with Chisel India and Cornerstone Sport and Entertainment.

2015: Family Relocation

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

2015: IPL Season 2015

In 2015, Virat Kohli played in the IPL, expressing optimism due to Bangalore's strengthened middle order. He opened batting with Gayle, scored 41 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, and achieved his first half-century against Chennai Super Kings. He promoted AB de Villiers up the order and guided his team to a ten-wicket victory against Delhi Daredevils. He scored 82 against Mumbai Indians and earned the player of the match award against Hyderabad with 44 off 19 balls. Kohli accumulated 505 runs in 16 matches. Bangalore lost in qualifier 2 against Chennai.

June 2016: "Celebrity Clasico" Charity Football Match

In June 2016, Virat Kohli led the All Hearts FC against the All Stars FC, captained by Ranbir Kapoor, in the "Celebrity Clasico" charity football match held in Mumbai to raise funds for charity.

October 2016: Kohli's Increased Brand Worth

In October 2016, Duff & Phelps reported that Kohli's brand worth had increased to $92 million, making him second only to Shah Rukh Khan.

2016: Wisden Leading Cricketer

From 2016, Kohli was named the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for three consecutive years.

2016: Launched Stepathlon Kids

In 2016, Kohli partnered with Stepathlon Lifestyle to launch Stepathlon Kids, an initiative to encourage healthy lifestyles and physical activity among young individuals.

2016: Player of the Tournament in T20 World Cup

In 2016, Virat Kohli was named the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup for the second time, making him the only cricketer to have achieved this feat twice.

2016: IPL Season 2016

In 2016, Virat Kohli's IPL season started with 75 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He scored his first Twenty20 century against Gujarat Lions and continued delivering match-winning performances. He scored his fourth century against Kings XI Punjab, surpassing 4,000 runs in the league. Kohli ended the season with a record 973 runs in 16 matches, claiming the Orange Cap and the title of Most Valuable Player, even though his team lost to Hyderabad in the final.

2016: Partnership with Smile Foundation and Swachh Bharat Mission Initiative

In 2016, the Virat Kohli Foundation partnered with Smile Foundation to empower underprivileged children and young people, kickstarting the initiative with a philanthropic dinner at Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, with other cricket players. In 2016, Kohli and the Indian cricket team also undertook a cleaning initiative at the Eden Gardens in collaboration with Anurag Thakur to advance the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM).

December 2017: Married Anushka Sharma

On December 11, 2017, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma got married in Florence, Italy, attracting media and public attention.

2017: Recognized as Valuable Brand Among Athletes

In 2017, Forbes recognized Kohli as the seventh "Most Valuable Brand among Athletes", with an estimated brand value of $14.5 million.

2017: Brand Endorsement Agreement with Puma

In 2017, Kohli entered into an eight-year endorsement agreement with Puma, valued at approximately ₹1.1 billion (US$13 million).

2017: Launched One8 and Nueva

In 2017, Kohli partnered with Puma to launch his athletic lifestyle brand, One8, and established Nueva, a fine dining restaurant in New Delhi.

2017: Multiple Awards

In 2017, Kohli won the ODI Player of the Year award and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for Cricketer of the Year.

2017: Gala Event for Justice and Care and Establishment of Athlete Development Programme

In 2017, Virat Kohli hosted a gala in London to support Justice and Care, aiming to combat human trafficking. Also in 2017, Kohli established the Athlete Development Programme (ADP) to support young athletes with coaching, training, and nutrition.

2018: Adopted Vegetarian Diet

In 2018, Kohli disclosed that he had transitioned to a vegetarian diet to alleviate symptoms of a cervical spine issue. He has since clarified that his diet is eggetarian.

2018: Number One Test Batsman

In 2018, Kohli was ranked the number one Test batsman, making him the only Indian to hold the number one spot in all three formats.

2018: Peak Performance and Awards

In 2018, Kohli won the Garfield Sobers Trophy, ODI Player of the Year, and Test Player of the Year awards, becoming the first player to win all three in the same year. He also won the Khel Ratna Award.

2018: Test Mace Win

In 2018, Virat Kohli led India to win the Test mace for the second of three consecutive years.

2018: Record for Fastest 1,000 ODI Runs

In 2018, Virat Kohli set a record by becoming the first player to score 1,000 ODI runs in 11 innings in a calendar year, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess.

2018: IPL Season 2018

In 2018, Virat Kohli was retained for ₹17 crore making him the league's most expensive player. His IPL 2018 campaign began with 33 runs against Kolkata Knight Riders. He secured the Orange Cap temporarily with twin fifties in the third and fourth matches. He surpassed 500 runs for a record fifth time, but his team was eliminated from the tournament.

2018: Documentary Released

In 2018, a documentary highlighting Kohli's cricketing career was released on National Geographic channel.

March 2019: Brand Ambassador of Mobile Premier League

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

2019: Spirit of Cricket Award

In 2019, Kohli was awarded the Spirit of Cricket Award.

2019: Included in Forbes' List

In 2019, Kohli was the only cricketer included in Forbes' list of "World's 100 Highest-Paid Athletes", ranked 100th with earnings estimated at $25 million.

2019: IPL Season 2019

In 2019, Virat Kohli had an underwhelming start with 6 runs in the opener against Chennai Super Kings. He marked his 100th appearance as Bangalore's captain against Rajasthan Royals. Kohli eventually scored a half-century against Kolkata Knight Riders and a century later in the season. Despite improvements, Bangalore failed to advance, marking their third consecutive elimination under Kohli's captaincy.

2019: Test Mace Win

In 2019, Virat Kohli led India to win the Test mace for the third consecutive year.

2019: Honored with Stand Named After Him

In 2019, on his international debut's eleventh anniversary, Kohli was honored with a stand named after him at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi.

2019: Waxwork Unveiled at Madame Tussauds

In 2019, on the eve of the 2019 Cricket World Cup, a waxwork of Kohli was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in London.

2019: Super V Animated Series Premiered

In November 2019, the Indian animated superhero television series Super V premiered, featuring a fictionalized portrayal of Kohli's teenage years and his discovery of superpowers.

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2020: ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade

In 2020, ICC named Kohli the male cricketer of the decade for the years 2011 to 2020.

2020: IPL Season 2020

In 2020, after the COVID-19 lockdown, Virat Kohli's IPL season started slow. He scored 72 runs against Rajasthan Royals and an unbeaten 90 against Chennai Super Kings. By the end of eleven matches, Kohli had amassed 389 runs. He ended the league stage with 460 runs and a slower strike rate. Bangalore lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Efforts

In 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma pledged donations to the PM CARES Fund and the Maharashtra CM Relief Fund. Kohli also supported Awaaz to provide medical services, shelter, and sustenance to stray animals in 2020.

January 2021: Birth of First Child

In January 2021, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma had their first child, a daughter.

April 2021: Brand Ambassador for Vivo

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

2021: IPL Season 2021

In 2021, Virat Kohli began the IPL season with 33 runs in two matches, followed by a half-century against Rajasthan Royals. In September, he made his 200th appearance for Bangalore and announced his resignation as captain at the season's end. Kohli scored consecutive half-centuries against Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai. Bangalore lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in the eliminator, concluding Kohli's tenure as captain.

2022: Investment in Digit

In 2022, Kohli and his spouse invested ₹2.5 crore in Digit, an insurance-based startup.

2022: 1,000 Runs in T20 World Cup

In 2022, Virat Kohli achieved the milestone of scoring 1,000 runs in the T20 World Cup, becoming only the second player after Mahela Jayawardene to reach this feat.

2022: IPL Season 2022

In 2022, Virat Kohli was retained for ₹15 crore and started the IPL season with 41* against Punjab Kings. He struggled with inconsistency, and after being elevated to the opening position, managed a half-century in 45 balls against Lucknow Super Giants. He scored 73 runs against Gujarat Titans, helping Bangalore to victory. However, he faltered in the eliminator and qualifier 2, ending Bangalore's campaign.

November 2023: Surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's ODI Century Record

On November 15, 2023, in the semifinal of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Virat Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 49 ODI centuries, achieving his 50th ODI century and becoming the first player to score more than 700 runs in a single edition of the tournament.

2023: Grade D contract

In 2023, Kohli was awarded a Grade D contract by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

2023: ODI Player of the Year Award

In 2023, Kohli won the ODI Player of the Year award for the fourth time.

February 2024: Birth of Second Child

In February 2024, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma welcomed their second child, a son.

May 2024: 250 matches for a single franchise

On 12 May 2024, Kohli became the first player in the history of the Indian Premier League to play 250 matches for a single franchise, playing against Delhi Capitals at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

2024: Retirement from T20Is

After winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and the Player of the Match award in the final, Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is.

2024: Co-owns FC Goa

As of 2024, Kohli co-owns Indian Super League club FC Goa, as an investment and future business opportunity after retirement from cricket.

2024: Fastest to 27,000 International Runs

In 2024, Kohli became the fastest player to score 27,000 runs in international cricket, surpassing Tendulkar's record during the Test against Bangladesh.