Virat Kohli: The Run Machine of Indian Cricket

byAkash Kumar -
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Virat Kohli: The Run Machine of Indian Cricket

1. Introduction

  • Virat Kohli is one of the most accomplished cricketers in the world today.

  • Known for his aggressive playing style and unmatched consistency, Kohli has become the face of modern Indian cricket.

  • This article explores his journey, personal life, playing style, records, and influence.

2. Early Life and Background

  • Birth: Born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India.

  • Family: Comes from a Punjabi Hindu family; father Prem Kohli was a criminal lawyer, and mother Saroj Kohli is a homemaker.

  • Education: Studied at Vishal Bharti Public School and later at Savior Convent School.

  • Introduction to cricket: Started playing cricket at age 9; joined West Delhi Cricket Academy in 1998 under coach Rajkumar Sharma.

3. Rise Through the Ranks

  • Early domestic success: Represented Delhi at under-15, under-17, and under-19 levels.

  • Tragic moment: Played a Ranji match for Delhi the day after his father's death, scoring a crucial 90.

  • Under-19 World Cup: Captained India to victory in 2008 in Malaysia—this win brought him into the limelight.

4. Entry into International Cricket

  • ODI Debut: Made his debut against Sri Lanka in August 2008.

  • Initial struggles: Inconsistent performances early on, but showed flashes of brilliance.

  • Breakthrough: Scored his first ODI century in December 2009 against Sri Lanka.

5. Establishing Himself in the Indian Team

  • 2011 World Cup: Played an important role; scored a century in the opening game against Bangladesh.

  • Post World Cup: Cemented his place in the team with consistent performances.

  • Chase Master: Became known for chasing targets, especially in ODIs.

6. Test Cricket Journey

  • Debut: Made his Test debut in 2011 against West Indies.

  • Australia 2011-12: Scored his first Test century in Adelaide; proved his mettle in challenging conditions.

  • Captaincy in Tests: Took over Test captaincy in 2014 after MS Dhoni’s retirement.

7. Captaincy Era (2014–2022)

  • Full-time captain: Became full-time captain in all formats by 2017.

  • Aggressive leader: Known for his aggressive body language and attacking style of captaincy.

  • Test dominance: Under Kohli, India became No.1 in Test rankings for five consecutive years.

  • Notable Series Wins:

    • 2018 Australia tour: First-ever Test series win on Australian soil.

    • 2021 England tour: Led India to a 2-1 lead (series concluded later).

  • Challenges in ICC tournaments: Despite strong teams, Kohli couldn’t win an ICC trophy as captain.

8. Playing Style and Technique

  • Batting Style: Right-handed batsman known for elegant yet aggressive stroke play.

  • Shot selection: Strong cover drives, flick shots, and quick singles.

  • Fitness: Set new fitness standards for Indian cricket—emphasized gym workouts and nutrition.

  • Temperament: Combines aggression with passion; thrives under pressure.

9. Key Records and Achievements

ODI Records:

  • Over 13,000 ODI runs (2nd only to Sachin Tendulkar in hundreds).

  • Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, and 12,000 ODI runs.

  • Most centuries while chasing.

Test Records:

  • Over 8,000 Test runs.

  • 7 double centuries in Tests—the most by an Indian.

  • Fastest to 25 centuries as an Indian Test captain.

T20I Records:

  • First to score 4,000 runs in T20Is.

  • Highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history.

10. Indian Premier League (IPL) Career

  • Franchise: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) since inception (2008).

  • Captaincy: Led RCB from 2013 to 2021.

  • Batting: Highest run-scorer in IPL history.

  • Iconic season: 2016 – scored 973 runs with 4 centuries (most in a single IPL season).

  • 2024–25 resurgence: Continued strong performances as a senior player.

11. Awards and Honours

  • Padma Shri (2017)

  • Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (2018)

  • Arjuna Award (2013)

  • ICC Awards:

    • ICC Cricketer of the Year (2017, 2018)

    • ICC Test Player of the Year (2018)

    • ICC ODI Player of the Year (2012, 2017, 2018)

12. Personal Life and Marriage

  • Wife: Married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in December 2017.

  • Child: Daughter named Vamika, born in January 2021.

  • Public image: Known as a youth icon, fashion enthusiast, and philanthropist.

13. Endorsements and Business Ventures

  • Brand endorsements: Endorses brands like Puma, MRF, Audi, and Manyavar.

  • Entrepreneurship:

    • Co-owner of fitness brand ‘Chisel’.

    • Invested in fashion brand WROGN.

    • Co-owner of FC Goa (ISL Football club).

14. Controversies and Criticism

  • On-field aggression: Criticized for sledging and excessive aggression at times.

  • Captaincy style: Seen as too intense; sometimes criticized for team selection decisions.

  • Social media trolls: Often targets of online abuse, especially during team losses.

  • Split with BCCI: His removal from ODI captaincy in 2021 created a rift with the cricket board.

15. Resignation from Captaincy

  • T20I captaincy: Stepped down after the 2021 T20 World Cup.

  • ODI captaincy: Removed by BCCI in late 2021.

  • Test captaincy: Resigned in January 2022 after series loss to South Africa.

  • Legacy: Left as India’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins.

16. Comeback and Role as a Senior Player

  • Post-captaincy: Focused on batting; scored multiple centuries.

  • 2023 World Cup: Star performer—Player of the Tournament; scored 765 runs.

  • 2024–25 Form: Continued scoring heavily in IPL and international cricket.

17. Influence on Indian Cricket

  • Fitness culture: Revolutionized the fitness standards in Indian cricket.

  • Team culture: Promoted aggression, self-belief, and accountability.

  • Young players: Mentored several young talents—like Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant.

18. Social Media and Public Presence

  • Instagram: One of the most followed Indian celebrities.

  • Twitter/X: Uses it to promote cricket, philanthropy, and mental health.

  • YouTube/Ads: Regularly appears in motivational campaigns and ads.

19. Philanthropic Activities

  • Virat Kohli Foundation: Works for underprivileged children and animal welfare.

  • Charity matches: Participates in charity football and awareness drives.

  • COVID-19 relief: Contributed and raised funds during the pandemic.

20. Legacy and Future Outlook

  • Modern-day great: Often compared with legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and AB de Villiers.

  • Mentor role: Expected to play a mentor role for younger players in the future.

  • 2025 Champions Trophy and 2026 T20 World Cup: May play key roles if fit and in form.

  • Hall of Fame: Almost certain to be inducted into ICC Hall of Fame post-retirement.

Conclusion

  • Virat Kohli’s journey from a talented boy in Delhi to one of the greatest batsmen in world cricket is a story of grit, determination, and relentless pursuit of excellence.

  • Whether it’s with the bat, as a captain, or as a role model, Kohli has transformed Indian cricket with his passion and performance.

  • As he continues to play, his story remains an inspiration for millions.

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