Bio/Wiki
Nickname(s) Cheeku, Run Machine

Note: In an interview, he revealed that his nickname ‘Cheeku’ was after the character ‘Cheeku’ from Champak, a popular fortnightly magazine for children in India; he earned this nickname from his coach Ajit Chaudhary during his Delhi days when he used to be chubby with short hair and big ears.

Profession Indian Cricketer (Batsman)
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.) in centimeters- 175 cm
in meters- 1.75 m
in Feet Inches- 5’ 9”
Eye Colour Dark Brown
Hair Colour Black
Cricket
International Debut ODI- 18 August 2008 against Sri Lanka at Dambulla
Test- 20 June 2011 against West Indies at Kingston
T20 – 12 June 2010 against Zimbabwe at Harare
Jersey Number #18 (India)
#18 (IPL)
Domestic/State Team Delhi, India Red, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Nature on field Very Aggressive
Likes to play against Pakistan, Australia
Favourite Shot Cover Drive, Flick Shot
Records (main ones) • First Indian to score a century on World Cup debut (2011).
• Third Indian to make 2 ODI hundreds by the age of 22 (after Sachin Tendulkar & Suresh Raina).
• Fastest Indian to complete 1000, 3000, 4000, and 5000 runs in ODI cricket.
• Fastest century by an Indian (of 52 balls against Australia at Jaipur, India in 2013).
• Fastest to score 25 ODI tons.
• Fastest to reach 7,500 ODI runs.
• Third player to score 3 double hundreds in a calendar year after Don Bradman and Ricky Ponting.
• Shares the record of 4 double hundreds with the like of Don Bradman, Graeme Smith, Michael Clarke.
• First Indian skipper to register 9 Test wins in a calendar year.
• First Indian skipper to register 5 successive Test series wins.
• First Indian to aggregate over 1000 Test runs in a calendar year after Rahul Dravid, who made 1145 runs in 2011.
• The highest score of 235 in Tests is the highest score by an Indian captain in Tests.
• First Indian Test skipper to score a double century in an overseas Test.
• Most runs in IPL in a single season (973 runs in IPL 9-2016).
• Most hundreds in IPL in a year (4).
• The fastest to 10,000 ODI runs and reached the mark in 205 innings.
• The first Indian to score 3 consecutive centuries in ODI cricket.
• The fastest player to 19,000 runs in international cricket.
• The highest run-scorer by any Indian Captain. He achieved the feat on 19 January 2020 while playing against Australia in Bengaluru. He scored 11208 runs as captain, which is the most by any Indian. He surpassed former skipper MS Dhoni, who amassed 11207 runs as captain. While Dhoni took 330 innings to score 11,208 runs, Kohli overtook him in just 199 innings as captain. Mohammad Azharuddin (8095) is third on the list followed by Sourav Ganguly (7643).
• The highest run-scorer in Twenty20 World Cup history. He achieved the feat after he reached 16 against Bangladesh in Adelaide during the 2022 T20 World Cup. He beat former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene’s total of 1,016 runs in his 23rd innings in T20 World Cups; Jayawardene set his mark off 31 innings. [1]The Hindu
• First batter to score 4000 runs in T20Is. He achieved the feat during the second semi-final against England in the 2022 T20 World Cup. [2]India Today
• Fastest batter to score 13000 runs in ODI. He scored 13000 runs at the 2023 Asia Cup and broke the record of Sachin Tendulkar. Virat Kohli became the fifth batter to cross the 13,000-run barrier in 261 innings. [3]Hindustan Times
Career Turning Point When he captained India’s victorious 2008 World Cup Under-19 side in Malaysia.
Personal Life
Date of Birth 5 November 1988
Age (as of 2022) 34 Years
Birthplace Delhi, India
Zodiac sign Scorpio
Signature
Nationality Indian
Hometown Delhi, India
School • Vishal Bharti Public School, Delhi
• Saviour Convent Senior Secondary School, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi
College N/A
Educational Qualification 12th standard
Family Father– Late Prem Kohli (Criminal lawyer)

Mother– Saroj Kohli (Homemaker)

Sister– Bhawna Kohli (Elder)

Brother– Vikas Kohli (Elder)
Coach/Mentor Raj Kumar Sharma
Religion Hinduism
Caste Khatri
Food Habit Vegetarian (turned vegetarian in October 2019) [4]ANI
Address DLF City Phase-1, Block-C, Gurugram
Likes & Dislikes Likes– Watching Roger Federer playing, watching old cricket videos, he likes Soccer and Tennis beside Cricket, Loves to drive, crazy for sushi (food), meeting old friends
Dislikes– Too many guests at home, sitting idle for long time
Hobbies Workout, travelling, singing, dancing
Controversies • In 2011, Kohli on his first tour to Australia, showed his middle finger to the Sydney crowd after they abused him when he was fielding the boundary at the boundary line during the second Test.
• In 2013, during a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Kolkata Knightriders in IPL 6, Kohli and Gautam Gambhir had an ugly spat. After getting out, instead of walking back, Kohli made some remarks which angered Gambhir, after which both started abusing each other until Rajat Bhatia intervened.
• Before the 2015 World Cup in Australia, the BCCI disallowed the Indian players to stay with their wives, or girlfriends during the World Cup. But according to reports, Kohli was staying in the same hotel where his girlfriend Anushka Sharma was staying.

• In 2016, Kohli abused a journalist after a practice session during the T20 World Cup, as Kohli thought that that particular journalist had written an article about actress Anushka Sharma in the National Daily. But, later Kohli came to know that it was the wrong journalist, after which he apologized immediately.

• Though Anil Kumble was named as the Indian cricket team coach in June 2016, in early 2017, there were many reports that were doing rounds hinting at differences between Anil and Virat Kohli. However, prior to the Champions Trophy 2017, when the BCCI published an advertisement for the post of men’s Indian cricket team coach, Anil felt deeply hurt and decided to discontinue his coaching job, and on 21 June 2017, Anil gave his resignation from the post of the Indian cricket team coach.

• On 17 April 2023, he was fined 10%of his match fee for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during a match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK); he breached the rules under Article 2.2 of the IPL Code of Conduct. [5]The Hindu

• On 1 May 2023, he was fined 100% of his match fee for an onfield clash with Gautam Gambhir. The clash took place at the end of an IPL match between Lucknow Super Giants and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Lucknow’s Ekana stadium. Reportedly, the trigger point of the clash was an altercation between Kohli and LSG’s Naveen-ul-Haq that took place during the break between the 16th and 17th over. Gambhir was also fined 100% of his match fee, while Naveen was fined 50% of his match fee. [6]NDTV

Favourites
Cricketer(s) Batsman : Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, Shane Watson, David Warner, Joe Root, Herschelle Gibbs
Bowler : Shane Warne
Cricket Ground Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia
Cricket Commentator Harsha Bhogle
Food Salmon, Sushi, Lamb Chops
Restaurant Caf’e A La Mer in Barbados
Actor(s) Aamir Khan, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr.
Actresses Penelope Cruz, Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif
Film(s) Bollywood: Border, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Ishq, 3 Idiots
Hollywood: Rocky 4, Iron Man, Southpaw
TV Show(s) American: Homeland, Narcos, Breaking Bad
Musician(s) Asrar, Eminem
Car Aston Martin
Book Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
Basketball Player Kobe Bryant [7]The Hindu
Girls, Family & More
Marital Status Married
Affairs/Girlfriends Sarah-Jane Dias (Actress, rumour)

Tamannaah Bhatia (Actress, rumour)

Izabelle Leite (Brazilian model, rumour)

Mansha Bahl (Model, Actress)
Anushka Sharma (Actress)
Wife/Spouse Anushka Sharma
Marriage Date 11 December 2017
Children On 11 January 2021, Virat and his wife, Anushka, blessed with a baby girl, Vamika.
Style Quotient
Cars Collection Audi Q7, Audi S6, Audi R8 V10, Audi R8 LMX, Audi A8L W12 Quattro, Toyota Fortuner

Note: In March 2023, while speaking on RCB’s YouTube channel during a photoshoot, he revealed that he sold most of the cars that he purchased over the years, calling them ‘impulsive buys.’ He said, “Most of the cars I used to own were impulsive buys, I ended up hardly driving or travelling in them as well. Beyond a point, I was like this is pointless, so I ended up selling most of them and now we only use what we absolutely need to, it’s about being practical.” [8]NDTV
Money Factor
Assets/Properties • A mansion in Gurugram, Haryana
• An apartment on 35th floor with a view of Arabian Sea in Worli, Mumbai
• A flat in Versova, Mumbai
• An eight-acre land at Alibaug, a coastal town situated in the south of Mumbai – Reportedly, Virat and Anushka jointly bought the property in two separate deals, and it cost around Rs 19 crores. [9]Business Today
• A 2,000 sq ft villa in Avas Living, Alibaug; he bought the property for Rs 6 crore. [10]News 18Note: In August 2023, The Times of India reported that Virat Kohli was planning to build a cricket pitch at his Alibaug farmhouse; however, Virat denied the reports through an Instagram story.
Salary/Income (as of 2023) [11]The Times of India Test Fee: Rs. 15 lakh/match
ODI Fee: Rs. 6 lakh/match
T20I Fee: Rs. 3 lakh/match
IPL: Rs. 15 crore/annumNote: He earns around Rs. 175 crores/annum from his brand endorsements, and he charges Rs 8.9 crore and Rs 2.5 crore per post on Instagram and Twitter respectively.
Net Worth (as of 2023) Rs. 1,050 crore [12]The Times of India

Some Lesser Known Facts About Virat Kohli

  • Is it true that Virat Kohli consumes alcohol?
  • shows him holding a cricket bat, which clearly highlights his early passion for the sport.
  • At the age of 9½, Virat Kohli was introduced to Raj Kumar Sharma’s West Delhi Cricket Academy by his father. He began his journey under the guidance of his coach, Raj Kumar Sharma.
  • In 2003, Ashish Nehra’s coach Raj Kumar Sharma extended an invitation to him to join his academy. At the academy, young Kohli was recognized by Sharma for being the top run-scorer for Delhi in the 2002-2003 Polly Umrigar Trophy, with an impressive total of 172 runs at an average of 34.40. Since that time, Kohli and Nehra’s partnership has undergone a significant transformation.
  • During his childhood, his Delhi State coach Ajit Chaudhary bestowed upon him the nickname ‘Chikoo’.
  • He used to dislike ‘Maths’, but his preferred subject was ‘History’.
  • Despite the tragic loss of his father to a brain stroke in 2006, he displayed remarkable resilience as he stepped onto the field the very next day. Playing for Delhi against Karnataka, he delivered a match-saving performance, scoring an impressive 90 runs.
  • He never entertained the idea of having a backup plan for his future because his sole aspiration was to become a cricketer.
  • He possesses several superstitions, such as donning black wristbands and ensuring he always wears his ‘Kada’ prior to his matches.
  • He has a fear of heights.
  • He dislikes engaging in lengthy conversations over the phone.
  • He consistently dons black wristbands due to his superstitious beliefs.
  • He exhibits both aggression and strong emotions, often shedding tears when upset. This was evident when he was spotted crying on the field in 2012 during the T20 World Cup, after India failed to qualify for the semi-finals.
  • In 2012, he emerged victorious as the recipient of the prestigious ICC ODI Player of the Year Award.
  • He earned the title of being among the top 10 well-dressed men worldwide in 2012.
  • The Government of India honored Virat Kohli with the Arjuna Award in 2013 and the Padma Shri Award in 2017, bestowing upon him the prestigious Padma Shri Award.
  • In the same year, Virat Kohli was appointed as the inaugural brand ambassador of the Border Security Force (BSF).
  • is a devoted admirer of Swiss tennis superstar Roger Federer. Additionally, he holds the position of co-owner for the prestigious ‘UAE Royals’ team in the International Premier Tennis League.
  • He has a strong passion for tattoos and continues to add to his collection. His first tattoo, located on his left shoulder, is called the ‘God’s eye’ which represents the ability to see and understand the unknown and unknowable. The second tattoo on his left shoulder is a ‘Japanese Samurai warrior’ symbolizing loyalty to one’s master, self-discipline, and ethical behavior. On his left arm, he has a tattoo of a ‘Monastery’ which signifies peace and power. Another tattoo on his left arm depicts ‘Lord Shiva in meditation with Mount Kailash and Mansarovar lake.’ Lastly, on his right bicep, he has a tattoo of a ‘Scorpion’ representing his Zodiac sign. In March 2023, just before the 2023 IPL season, he proudly revealed a new tattoo on his right hand. Tattoo artist Sunny Bhanushali, who created the artwork, described it as a reflection of Kohli’s spiritual beliefs. Bhanushali shared a preview of the tattoo on his blog, expressing his excitement and the pressure he felt working with the renowned Virat Kohli. The tattoo held great significance for Kohli, and he showed unwavering dedication to achieving perfection. With utmost creativity and diligence, Bhanushali designed the artwork, refining every element for flawless execution. Thus, Virat Kohli’s right hand is adorned with a meaningful tattoo.
  • is located in Delhi and is named ‘Nueva.’
  • In 2016, a video of him singing “Jo Wada Kiya Hai Nibhana Padhega” had become incredibly popular, showcasing his decent singing skills.
  • Click here to discover Virat Kohli’s fitness secrets! He is an incredibly driven athlete, dedicating himself not only to improving his cricket abilities but also to maintaining his fitness. As a result, he is admired by numerous individuals.
  • Virat and Anushka tied the knot in a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy on December 11, 2017. For additional information, click here!
  • Virat Kohli was honored with the esteemed Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award by the Government of India on 25 September 2018.
  • In October 2019, he made a revelation about his decision to become a vegetarian. He expressed feeling better and a sense of pride since adopting this lifestyle. Sharing his thoughts on Twitter, Kohli wrote,
  • During India’s 2014 tour of England, Kohli’s batting performance was subpar, averaging only 13.5 runs over ten innings. In the five Tests, he scored 1, 8, 25, 0, 39, 28, 0, 7, 6, and 20 runs. As a result of this disappointing performance, Kohli experienced depression. He disclosed this while speaking with former England player Mark Nicholas on his ‘Not Just Cricket’ podcast. Kohli expressed his struggle to move on from that period, feeling completely powerless to change the circumstances. He also described a profound sense of loneliness, as if he were the most isolated person on Earth.
  • He made an announcement on Twitter on 16 September 2021 that he will step down as India’s T20 captain after the T20 World Cup in UAE. However, he clarified that he will continue to lead the Indian team in ODIs and Test cricket. In his Twitter post, he stated that he has decided to resign as the T20 captain after the T20 World Cup in Dubai in October. He mentioned that he recognizes the significance of workload and believes it is important to acknowledge the immense load he has carried for the past 8-9 years, participating in all three formats and captaining consistently for the last five to six years. Therefore, he feels it is necessary for him to allocate sufficient time to thoroughly prepare himself for the responsibility of leading the Indian team in Test and ODI cricket. He also added that even though he will no longer be the T20 captain, he will continue to dedicate himself wholeheartedly to the team in his role as a batsman.
  • On January 15, 2022, he made an announcement on Twitter that he had resigned as the Test captain. In his tweet, he mentioned that he had dedicated himself to leading the team for seven years with unwavering determination, hard work, and perseverance. He stated that he had approached his role with utmost honesty and had left no stone unturned. However, he acknowledged that every journey must come to an end, and for him, that time had come. Throughout his captaincy, they had experienced many victories and a few setbacks, but they had never lacked effort or belief. He emphasized that he always aimed to give 120 percent in all his endeavors and if he couldn’t meet that standard, he knew it wasn’t the right path for him. He expressed his gratitude to the support group, led by Ravi Bhai, for their contribution to the team’s consistent rise in Test Cricket. He also thanked M.S. Dhoni for believing in him as captain and recognizing his leadership abilities in leading Indian cricket to success.
  • NDTV reported that on June 7, 2022, he achieved the milestone of being the first Indian to surpass 200 million followers on Instagram.
  • During an interview with the media on 4th September 2022, Virat Kohli praised M.S. Dhoni for being the only person to reach out to him when he resigned as the Test captain in January 2022. Kohli mentioned that Dhoni, whom he has played with in the past, was the sole individual who offered his support during that time. Kohli also expressed his disappointment with those who freely give suggestions during television debates without directly approaching him. He mentioned that despite having many people with his contact information, he has not received any messages from them.
  • Virat Kohli: Sport Successes and Achievements

    Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket captain, has achieved remarkable success and accolades in his sporting career. Known for his aggressive batting style and exceptional leadership skills, Kohli has cemented his place as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. From leading India to victories in numerous series and tournaments to setting records and milestones in the sport, Kohli’s career has been nothing short of spectacular.

    One of Kohli’s most notable achievements is his consistency in scoring centuries across all formats of the game. His ability to adapt to different conditions and oppositions has earned him praise from cricketing legends and fans alike. Kohli’s leadership skills have also been commendable, as he has led India to several series wins both at home and abroad.

    Kohli’s success on the field has also translated into numerous accolades off the field. He has been awarded the prestigious ICC Cricketer of the Year multiple times and has been named in various all-time cricketing XI’s. Kohli’s passion for the game and his dedication to fitness have set him apart from his peers, making him a role model for aspiring cricketers around the world.

    In conclusion, Virat Kohli’s sport successes and achievements have solidified his legacy as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. His hunger for success and his never-say-die attitude have endeared him to fans and critics alike, making him a true icon in the world of cricket. Kohli’s journey from a young cricketer to a world-renowned superstar is a testament to his hard work, talent, and determination.

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