Virat Kohli, 37, is one of cricket’s greatest batsmen. Explore his career, Test retirement, wife Anushka Sharma, children, net worth, and IPL 2026 journey.
Virat Kohli is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, a player whose hunger for runs, fitness standards, and match-winning ability reshaped Indian cricket for over a decade. Born in Delhi on 5 November 1988, Kohli turned a childhood obsession with cricket into a career of staggering numbers — 85 international centuries, over 24,000 international runs, and a trophy cabinet that includes the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
Now 37, Kohli has transitioned into the final chapter of his international career. Having retired from T20 Internationals in 2024 and Test cricket in May 2025, he continues to represent India in ODIs and plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL. With his eyes firmly set on the 2027 ODI World Cup, King Kohli shows no signs of dimming his competitive fire.
Quick Facts About Virat Kohli
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Virat Kohli |
| Date of Birth | 5 November 1988 |
| Age | 37 years old |
| Birthplace | Delhi, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Cricketer, Entrepreneur |
| Playing Role | Right-handed Top-Order Batter |
| International Debut | August 2008 (ODI vs Sri Lanka) |
| Test Debut | June 2011 |
| Wife | Anushka Sharma (m. 2017) |
| Children | Vamika (daughter), Akaay (son, born 2024) |
| IPL Team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) |
| IPL Salary 2026 | ₹21 Crore per season |
| Estimated Net Worth | ₹1,050 Crore (~$125 million) |
| Famous For | Most ODI centuries ever (54), 2024 T20 WC win, Test captaincy |
Early Life and Family
Virat Kohli was born into a Punjabi Hindu family in New Delhi. His father, Prem Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, was a homemaker. He has an elder brother, Vikram, and a sister, Bhavna. Cricket claimed his heart early — neighbours recall the young Kohli insisting on playing late into the evenings, mimicking shots he had seen on television.
He attended Vishal Bharati Public School and enrolled at the West Delhi Cricket Academy at just nine years of age, training under childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma. A pivotal and painful moment came on 18 December 2006: his father passed away after a long illness, and Kohli played a Ranji Trophy match the very next morning, scoring 90 runs for Delhi before quietly leaving the ground. That innings, more than any other, told the cricket world exactly who Virat Kohli was.
Education
Kohli attended Vishal Bharati Public School and later Save Kaur Mittal Senior Secondary School in Delhi. His academic journey was always secondary to cricket, and by his mid-teens, the sport had effectively become his full-time pursuit. He has been candid about prioritising the game from a very young age, training rigorously at the West Delhi Cricket Academy while still completing his schooling.
Cricket Career: The Rise of King Kohli
Kohli made his domestic debut for Delhi in 2006 and captained India to the 2008 U-19 Cricket World Cup title — an early sign of his leadership instincts. His senior international debut followed in August 2008 in an ODI against Sri Lanka. He began as a middle-order utility bat before cementing himself as India’s premier chase-master and eventually its most reliable top-order batter in all three formats.
He made his Test debut in June 2011, and what followed was a career-spanning dominance across formats. He reached number one in the ICC ODI rankings in 2013 and, crucially, became the only Indian cricketer ever to simultaneously hold the top ranking in all three formats — a feat achieved in 2018. He captained India in 68 Tests, winning 40, making him India’s most successful Test captain in history.
READ: Ella Bright Biography, Age & Off Campus Role
The Captaincy Years
Kohli took over as India’s Test captain in 2015 and transformed the team’s culture. He introduced aggressive, fitness-first cricket, building a pace attack that could challenge opponents anywhere in the world. Under his leadership, India rose to the top of the ICC Test rankings and won legendary series in Australia — the 2018–19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy being India’s first-ever series win on Australian soil.
He guided India to the inaugural World Test Championship Final in 2021 (they lost to New Zealand), and led the side in four World Cups across formats. He stepped down as T20I captain in late 2021, resigned as ODI captain in early 2022, and was subsequently relieved of the Test captaincy as well. Despite the controversy surrounding the end of his captaincy, his record as a leader remains exceptional.
Records and Milestones
Few cricketers have accumulated records the way Kohli has. He holds the world record for the most centuries in ODI cricket — 54, overtaking Sachin Tendulkar’s benchmark during the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-final. He is the second-highest century scorer in international cricket overall (85 centuries across all formats), behind only Tendulkar.
He is the all-time leading run-scorer in IPL history, having surpassed 9,000 IPL runs in 2026, and holds the record for the most runs in a single IPL season (973 runs in 2016). He was named the ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade in 2020 and the Player of the Tournament at the 2023 ODI World Cup for a record 765 runs, including three centuries. He was also a key figure in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph, their 2013 Champions Trophy win, and their 2025 Champions Trophy title.
Test Retirement: The End of an Era
In May 2025, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket, days after captain Rohit Sharma made the same call. In an emotional message on social media, Kohli said: “I’m walking away with a heart full of gratitude — for the game, for the people I shared the field with, and for every single person who made me feel seen along the way.” He had played 123 Tests, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 with 30 centuries, finishing as India’s fourth-highest Test run-scorer behind Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
His final Test series was the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, where he began brightly with an unbeaten century in Perth but struggled thereafter, ending the series with just 190 runs across five matches. It was not the farewell his numbers deserved, but his broader Test legacy remains untouched.
Personal Life: Virushka and Family
Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in December 2017 in a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy. The couple, widely known as “Virushka,” are among the most celebrated and beloved partnerships in Indian popular culture. Their daughter, Vamika, was born in January 2021, and their son, Akaay, arrived in February 2024. The family currently splits time between India and London, where they have spent considerable time in recent years.
Kohli has spoken openly about his transformation — from a young man who loved fast food and nightlife to one of the world’s most committed athletes in terms of diet, fitness, and mental wellbeing. He has credited Anushka’s influence and his own journey with therapy and self-awareness as central to his evolution as a person off the field.
Net Worth and Business Ventures
Virat Kohli’s estimated net worth stood at approximately ₹1,050 crore (~$125 million) as of 2025, according to Forbes estimates. His earnings extend well beyond cricket: he commands some of India’s most lucrative endorsement deals, representing global brands across sportswear, beverages, and lifestyle products. He is among the most marketable athletes in the world, regularly ranked alongside Bollywood heavyweights like Shah Rukh Khan.
Beyond endorsements, Kohli has invested in several businesses — including fashion label Wrogn, the gym chain Chisel, and hospitality ventures. His IPL contract with RCB for the 2025 and 2026 seasons stands at ₹21 crore per season, while his BCCI central contract adds further income. Industry insiders note that his brand value remains largely insulated from his retirement from Test cricket, given his continued ODI and IPL relevance.
Latest News: IPL 2026 and the 2027 World Cup
In IPL 2026, Kohli continues to deliver for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the team he has represented exclusively since the very first IPL season in 2008. The defending champions — who ended an 18-year title drought by winning IPL 2025, with Kohli scoring 657 runs in 15 matches including a key 43 in the final — qualified for the 2026 playoffs. Kohli has surpassed 9,200 IPL runs across his career, cementing his status as the tournament’s greatest-ever batter.
On the international front, Kohli has expressed clear ambition regarding the 2027 ODI World Cup. Speaking on the RCB podcast, he said he is committed to playing if he can add value to the team. His childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma has also stated publicly that Kohli is focused entirely on winning that tournament. The BCCI is expected to formally review Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s World Cup plans later in 2026, as India build their squad for the 50-over showpiece.
RELATED: Urvil Patel Biography, Age, IPL & Cricket Records
Awards and Honours
- ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade (2020)
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (2018)
- Arjuna Award (2013)
- Padma Shri (2017)
- ICC ODI Player of the Year (multiple times)
- Player of the Tournament — 2023 ODI World Cup (765 runs, 3 centuries)
- World record: 54 ODI centuries (most in history)
- Most Test wins as India captain: 40 wins in 68 matches
Final Thoughts
Virat Kohli’s career is the story of a boy from Delhi who turned desire into dynasty. He was not just a run-scorer; he was a cultural phenomenon who made fitness aspirational in Indian cricket, elevated the standard of the sport’s professionalism, and carried India’s batting across formats for more than a decade. Few players in any sport have matched his consistency, intensity, or influence.
As he navigates this new chapter — ODIs, the IPL, and the dream of a 2027 World Cup — the cricketing world remains captivated. Some chapters may be closing, but the final chapter of Virat Kohli’s story has not yet been written. And if his career has taught us anything, it is that he will not let it end without giving everything he has.
People Also Ask
How old is Virat Kohli in 2026?
Virat Kohli was born on 5 November 1988, making him 37 years old in 2026. He remains one of the most active and impactful batsmen in world cricket, currently playing ODIs for India and representing RCB in the IPL.
Why did Virat Kohli retire from Test cricket?
Kohli announced his Test retirement in May 2025 via social media, saying the decision was not easy but “felt right.” He played 123 Tests, scoring 9,230 runs at 46.85 with 30 centuries, and leaves as India’s most successful Test captain with 40 wins from 68 matches. He continues to play ODIs and the IPL.
Who is Virat Kohli’s wife and how many children does he have?
Virat Kohli is married to Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, whom he wed in December 2017 in a private ceremony in Tuscany. The couple, often called “Virushka,” have two children — daughter Vamika, born in 2021, and son Akaay, born in February 2024.
What is Virat Kohli’s net worth in 2026?
Virat Kohli’s estimated net worth is approximately ₹1,050 crore (around $125 million), according to Forbes. His wealth comes from his IPL salary (₹21 crore per season with RCB), BCCI central contract, major brand endorsements, and business investments in fashion, fitness, and hospitality.
