Virat Kohli, you are not just another Indian cricket icon. He is perhaps now one of the most well-known sporting figures on the planet.
Virat Kohli went from a boy with a passion for cricket in West Delhi to India’s former captain and one of the greatest ODI batters this game has ever seen, built on runs, fitness, discipline, and an unreasonably strong desire to win.
Even his journey has shifted over time. That same boy who was famous for his exuberant celebrations then grew into a mature leader, father, and senior batter who is much more selective with the thumb print he places on his cricket.
Virat Kohli—37 years old as of October 2026 He continues to play ODIs, having retired from T20 internationals in 2024 and Test cricket in 2025. The 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, which he has confirmed will be his last World Cup for India, is the biggest chapter yet to come.
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Virat Kohli Quick Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Virat Kohli |
| Date of Birth | 5 November 1988 |
| Age | 37 years |
| Birthplace | New Delhi, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | International Cricketer |
| Playing Role | Batter |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm medium |
| Jersey Number | 18 |
| International Debut | 2008 |
| ODI Debut | 18 August 2008 |
| Test Debut | 20 June 2011 |
| T20I Debut | 12 June 2010 |
| IPL Team | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Wife | Anushka Sharma |
| Children | Vamika and Akaay |
| Major World Cup | 2011 winner |
| 2027 World Cup | Confirmed as his final World Cup |
Virat Kohli Age and Birth
Virat Kohli Date of Birth: 5 November 1988 Birth Place: New Delhi On 5 November 2025, he had just turned 37 years old, and in October 2026, he is still only aged 37.
Question: Is Virat Kohli age 37? which has an uncomplicated response: yes.
This is particularly interesting at all because he is playing international ODI cricket at an age where he has a lot of his compatriots have already retired from the game.
According to the ICC, Kohli is a right-handed batter who is “37” and has been playing internationally since 2008.
Virat Kohli Family and Early Life
Virat Kohli, who hails from West Delhi. His father, Prem Nath Kohli was a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli is a housewife.
Kohli has an elder brother named Vikas and a sister named Bhawna.
From a young age, Cricket was very important for Virat Kohli. The family was aware that he had taken a real interest in the sport, and his father assisted him to move on from casual cricket into serious training.
A major decision was joining West Delhi Cricket Academy, where he trained under coach Rajkumar Sharma.
According to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sharam is not only Kohli’s cricket but also life coach. When Kohli came to the academy at roughly nine years of age, Sharma noticed straight away his confidence and eagerness to practice.
Virat Kohli Education
Virat Kohli went to school at Vishal Bharti Public School in Delhi before joining Saviour Convent Senior Secondary School, Paschim Vihar.
Cricket increasingly dominated his school years, however, as his precocious ability became evident.
Vishal Bharti Public School is a senior secondary school on a CBSE affiliation basis. POLOpicLIimg reports about the childhood of Kohli, stating that he was a student there in his early school days.
Virat Kohli’s Cricket Career
Age-group cricket started shaping up the professional journey of Virat Kohli.
He captained the Indian Under-19 team that won the 2008 ICC U19 World Cup. That tournament turned out to be one of the defining points.
Early in 2008, he made his ODI debut for India against Sri Lanka.
Kohli was still figuring out what international cricket is all about. It was obvious he had talent, but there was a lot of work to be done to improve his game. In the following years, you gradually morphed one of India’s most hard-to-shift run scorers.
Virat Kohli Career Timeline
| Year | Major Career Moment |
|---|---|
| 1988 | Born in New Delhi |
| 1998 | Joined the West Delhi Cricket Academy |
| 2008 | Led India Under-19 to World Cup title |
| 2008 | Made ODI debut for India |
| 2010 | Made T20I debut |
| 2011 | Made Test debut |
| 2011 | Won ODI World Cup with India |
| 2013 | Became a major force in ODI cricket |
| 2014 | Became India’s Test captain during the Australia tour |
| 2017 | Became India’s full-time captain across formats |
| 2018 | India won a historic Test series in Australia |
| 2023 | Scored 765 runs in the ODI World Cup |
| 2024 | Won T20 World Cup and retired from T20Is |
| 2025 | Retired from Test cricket |
| 2026 | Won IPL 2026 with RCB |
| 2026 | Crossed 15,000 ODI runs |
| 2027 | Confirmed final World Cup for India |
Virat Kohli and His Records
The Virat Kohli story is filled with records.
He has been particularly aggressive in ODI cricket. It’s his ability to steer a chase, both rotate the strike, and then go up the ante at the crucial time that makes him one of the most feared batters in this format.
Virat Kohli became the fastest batter to 15,000 runs in men’s ODIs: September, 2026. That made him only the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to achieve that landmark.
Virat Kohli Stats
| Format | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 123 | 9,230 | 254* | 30 |
| ODIs | 300+ | 15,000+ | 183 | 54* |
| T20Is | 125 | 4,188 | 122* | 1 |
| IPL | 267 | 8,700+ | 113 | 9 |
Evidently, ODI numbers have also undergone alterations in the course of 2026; as per ICC statistics Kohli had amassed over 15,000 ODI runs by September 2026.
Even more impressive is how long that international record stretches out.
Quote: Kohli has already achieved success with India in the big ICC events including the ODI World Cup of 2011, T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy (both in 2014). His 2023 ODI World Cup was another milestone, where he scored a total of 765 runs—most runs by any batter in an edition of the men’s ODI World Cup.
Virat Kohli Centuries
Virat KohliÄs centuries have become the greatest part of his legacy.
Comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar have been the biggest for many years. But this list is focused on ODI centuries, one in which Kohli eventually surpassed Tendulkar (and being extremely stubborn about it) during the 2023 World Cup when he got his 50th ODI hundred.
Since then, he has been the top century-maker in men’s ODI cricket.
Kohli is recognized as the ODI record holder of most hundreds by the ICC and notes that he reached 15,000 ODI runs in 2026.
Some Major Virat Kohli Batting Achievements
| Achievement | Detail |
|---|---|
| ODI Runs | 15,000+ |
| ODI Centuries | 54 |
| ODI World Cup Runs in 2023 | 765 |
| 2023 World Cup Result | Runner-up with India |
| 2011 World Cup | Winner |
| 2024 T20 World Cup | Winner |
| 2025 Champions Trophy | Winner |
| Fastest to 15,000 ODI Runs | Yes |
| IPL 2016 Runs | 973 |
| IPL Team | RCB |
Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru
The IPL Story Of Virat Kohli Cannot Be Divorced From Royal Challengers Bengaluru
He has anchored the franchise throughout his IPL career and led it through ‘lean’ phases too.
The absence of an IPL trophy had been RCB’s greatest frustration over the past few years even while Kohli was setting individual milestones.
That finally changed in 2026.
Speaking of the IPL 2026, it was won by RCB and Kohli had a big part in that campaign. His 675 runs were the most in the season; his unbeaten 75 saw RCB defeat Gujarat Titans in the final.
Although Kohli was only too emotional because the RCB title on his laurels had one of the major missing achievements.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
For years now cricket fans have spoken about the relationship between Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
And both became stalwarts in Indian cricket, eventually being named captains of India.
There were probably points during their life that was constantly surrounded by media speculation, especially as India’s leadership appeared to shift. They became intertwined in terms of the journeys they each embarked upon in their cricket careers.
Both were members of India’s history towards a 2024 T20 World Cup title-winning campaign. They both also retired from T20Is after that tournament and subsequently stepped back from Test cricket.
Both players are integral parts of the ODI set-up in India, continuing in 2026.
Rohit Sharma too, during a podcast recalled the moment fans gave them the all-popular “Ro-Ko” tag and how they reacted.
One of the better ways to think about them is not as competing entities, like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Two senior Indian batters whose careers have paralleled through perhaps the most golden period in the country’s cricket history.
Virat Kohli Captaincy
Virat Kohli captaincy era changed the Indian cricket in some way or another.
He set high fitness standards, inspired aggressive cricket and helped boost fast bowling as an integral part of India’s Test identity.
India’s Test captaincy highlight under his leadership was India becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia, accomplished during 2018-19.
Kohli ultimately resigned as Test captain in 2022 and later relinquished India’s white-ball captaincy too.
But ways of receiving the day was by no means blurred for his very own, as captaincy finished.
Virat Kohli Wife: Anushka Sharma
Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in December 2017.
The pair had met during a commercial shoot and their relationship became one of India’s most closely followed celebrity relationships.
Anushka confirmed in 2015 that she was in a relationship with Kohli, while also asking for privacy around their personal life.
The couple now have two children, daughter Vamika and son Akaay.
Kohli has spoken about how meeting Anushka changed his outlook on life. In a conversation later reported by the Indian Express, he described meeting her as a life-changing moment because she introduced him to a different perspective outside his own environment.
Virat Kohli Family
| Family Member | Details |
|---|---|
| Father | Prem Nath Kohli |
| Mother | Saroj Kohli |
| Brother | Vikas Kohli |
| Sister | Bhawna Kohli |
| Wife | Anushka Sharma |
| Daughter | Vamika |
| Son | Akaay |
Who Is Virat Kohli’s Ex?
The most clearly documented former relationship associated with Virat Kohli is Izabelle Leite, a Brazilian model and actor.
Izabelle herself confirmed in 2014 that she and Virat Kohli had dated for almost two years. Reports have generally placed their relationship around 2012–2014, before Kohli’s relationship with Anushka Sharma became serious.
There have also been old media reports linking Kohli with other personalities, but not every reported link was confirmed. For example, Sarah-Jane Dias publicly denied dating him, so it would be misleading to present that rumour as an established relationship.
Therefore, if the question is “Who is Virat Kohli’s ex?”, Izabelle Leite is the best-supported answer based on a direct public confirmation.
What Was Virat Kohli’s Punishment?
Virat Kohli has received disciplinary sanctions during his career, so the answer depends on which incident the question refers to.
One notable case came during the 2019 World Cup match against Afghanistan. Kohli was fined 25% of his match fee and received one demerit point for excessive appealing. He accepted the sanction.
Another significant incident happened during the 2018 Test against South Africa. Kohli was fined 25% of his match fee and received one demerit point for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.
In September 2019, he was also reprimanded and received another demerit point for inappropriate physical contact with South African bowler Beuran Hendricks.
So, there was not one single “Virat Kohli punishment.” He has faced several disciplinary actions at different points in his career.
Will Virat Kohli Play the 2027 World Cup?
Yes. Virat Kohli has confirmed that he intends to play in the 2027 World Cup, and he has also said it will be his final World Cup for India.
This is one of the most important current Virat Kohli updates.
In September 2026, Kohli said that the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will be his last World Cup for India. He is targeting the tournament with a clear goal: helping India win the trophy.
The tournament will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Kohli will enter the competition with considerable World Cup experience. He played in the 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 editions.
His 2023 performance was exceptional, but India lost the final to Australia.
Now the 2027 World Cup offers Kohli one final opportunity to finish his World Cup career as a champion.
He has even spoken about wanting to produce a match-winning innings in the final while helping India lift the trophy.
Virat Kohli Net Worth
Virat Kohli’s net worth is frequently discussed online, but there is no single officially published figure that can be treated as exact.
His income comes from several major sources:
- BCCI cricket earnings
- IPL salary
- Brand endorsements
- Business investments
- Sponsorships
- Personal ventures and commercial partnerships
Because endorsement contracts and private investments are not fully public, online estimates should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed financial statements.
Virat Kohli Income Sources
| Source | Role |
|---|---|
| BCCI | International cricket earnings |
| IPL | Royal Challengers Bengaluru contract |
| Endorsements | Major source of commercial income |
| Investments | Business and financial interests |
| Brand Partnerships | Long-term commercial deals |
| Social Media | Promotional and brand value |
Virat Kohli Fitness and Lifestyle
Fitness has become a major part of Virat Kohli’s identity.
When he was younger, his batting talent was already obvious. As his career developed, he became increasingly serious about nutrition, training, recovery and body conditioning.
Kohli has repeatedly linked physical fitness with mental clarity.
In 2026, he explained that staying physically fit helps him approach cricket with a clearer mind and execute his plans more effectively.
That approach has helped him remain competitive well into his late 30s.
Virat Kohli Hairstyle and Personal Style
Virat Kohli’s hairstyle has also become part of his public image.
Over the years, he has experimented with short fades, textured cuts, beards and different grooming styles. His appearance has changed as much as his cricketing role.
Unlike many sports stars who keep one signature look, Kohli has regularly updated his hairstyle and beard, which has helped make his style popular among younger fans.
Why Virat Kohli Is Still Important in 2026
The easiest way to understand Virat Kohli’s importance is to look beyond individual records.
He has played through different generations of Indian cricket.
He started when Sachin Tendulkar was still playing. He became a senior player during the MS Dhoni era. He later became captain himself and helped build India’s modern Test culture. Now he is one of the experienced players guiding the next generation.
At 37, he no longer needs to prove that he can become a great player.
The question now is how he wants to finish.
The answer appears clear: ODI cricket, the 2027 World Cup and one final attempt to win the trophy.
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Virat Kohli Lesser-Known Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Jersey Number | 18 |
| Childhood Coach | Rajkumar Sharma |
| Under-19 Achievement | 2008 World Cup winner as captain |
| ODI Debut | 2008 |
| First Test | 2011 |
| T20I Retirement | 2024 |
| Test Retirement | 2025 |
| IPL Franchise | RCB |
| 2026 IPL Runs | 675 |
| 2026 IPL Result | RCB champions |
| ODI Milestone in 2026 | 15,000+ runs |
| 2027 World Cup | Confirmed final World Cup |
Frequently Asked Questions About Virat Kohli
Q. Who is Virat Kohli?
A. Virat Kohli is an Indian international cricketer and right-handed batter. He is regarded as one of the greatest ODI batters of his generation and has represented India since 2008.
Q. Is Virat Kohli 37 years old?
A. Yes. Virat Kohli was born on 5 November 1988, so he is 37 years old in October 2026.
Q. Who is Virat Kohli’s ex?
A. Brazilian model and actor Izabelle Leite is the best-documented former girlfriend of Virat Kohli. She publicly confirmed in 2014 that the two had dated for almost two years.
Q. What was Virat Kohli’s punishment?
A. Kohli has received several disciplinary sanctions. During the 2019 World Cup, he was fined 25% of his match fee and received one demerit point for excessive appealing against Afghanistan.
Q. Will Virat Kohli play the 2027 World Cup?
A. Yes. Kohli has confirmed that he plans to play in the 2027 World Cup and has said that it will be his final World Cup for India.
Q. How many ODI runs does Virat Kohli have?
A. Virat Kohli crossed 15,000 ODI runs in September 2026, becoming the fastest batter to reach that mark.
Q. Who is Virat Kohli’s wife?
A. Virat Kohli’s wife is Bollywood actress and producer Anushka Sharma. They married in 2017.
Q. Which IPL team does Virat Kohli play for?
A. Virat Kohli plays for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and has represented the franchise throughout his IPL career. RCB won the IPL title in 2026, giving Kohli the trophy he had waited many years to win.
Final Thoughts
Virat Kohli’s career has never followed a quiet path.
There have been huge victories, difficult defeats, captaincy pressure, personal criticism, remarkable records and periods when people questioned whether he could return to his best.
Yet he kept finding a way back.
His story is now entering a different phase. He is no longer chasing every possible record or playing every format. T20Is and Tests are behind him. ODI cricket remains, and the 2027 World Cup is now clearly marked as his final World Cup.
That makes the next chapter especially interesting.
For Indian cricket fans, Virat Kohli’s final World Cup will not simply be another tournament. It will be the closing chapter of one of the most influential careers Indian cricket has produced.
And if Kohli gets his ideal ending, it will probably involve what has defined him for most of his career: a difficult chase, pressure on his shoulders, the bat in his hands and India needing him to finish the job.
