Virat Kohli's journey from a young cricket enthusiast to one of the world's greatest batsmen is both inspiring and remarkable. Here's a breakdown of his key milestones:
Early Life and Introduction to Cricket (1988-2006):
- **Born** on November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India, Kohli grew up in a middle-class family.
- His father, Prem Kohli, a lawyer, was supportive of his cricket aspirations. Unfortunately, his father passed away in 2006 when Kohli was just 18, a tragedy that fueled his determination to succeed.
- Virat joined the **West Delhi Cricket Academy** at age 9 under the guidance of Rajkumar Sharma, where he started honing his cricket skills.
Rise through the Ranks (2006-2008):
- Kohli first made headlines during the 2006-07 **U-19 tour of England**, where he performed exceptionally.
- In 2008, he captained the **India U-19 team** to victory in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia. His leadership and performances drew attention to his potential.
Entry into International Cricket (2008-2011):
- Virat made his **ODI debut** for India on August 18, 2008, against Sri Lanka. He started as a middle-order batsman and took time to establish himself.
- In 2010, Kohli's career took a turn as he began cementing his place in the team by scoring his first ODI century against Sri Lanka.
- His consistent performance earned him a spot in the **2011 ICC Cricket World Cup**, where India won, with Kohli contributing significantly in the final against Sri Lanka.
Emergence as a Batting Sensation (2012-2014):
- By 2012, Kohli was becoming one of the most reliable batsmen for India, particularly in limited-overs formats. He gained a reputation for chasing big totals with ease.
- In 2012, he made his mark in Test cricket by scoring his maiden century against Australia in Adelaide.
- His aggressive, passionate attitude on the field made him the future leader of Indian cricket.
Leadership and Consistency (2014-2017):
- After **MS Dhoni** stepped down from Test captaincy in 2014, Kohli was appointed as the **Test captain** of India.
- In 2015, Kohli became the captain of the ODI team as well.
- Under his leadership, India reached the **final of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy**, though they lost to Pakistan.
- His batting continued to shine across all formats. By the end of 2017, Kohli had become one of the top batsmen in the world, dominating both in Test and ODI cricket.
Peak of His Career (2018-2020):
- Kohli had a stellar run in 2018, especially in **Test cricket**, with centuries in almost every country. He became the first Indian batsman to score a century in South Africa, England, and Australia in a calendar year.
- He became the fastest to score 10,000 ODI runs, breaking records consistently.
- In 2019, Kohli led India to the **semi-finals of the ICC World Cup**, where they were defeated by New Zealand.
Challenges and Transition (2021-Present):
- Kohli stepped down as the **T20 captain** of India in 2021 and later as ODI and Test captain in early 2022.
- Despite captaincy changes, his individual performances remained consistent, though he faced a dip in form in 2020-2021.
- In September 2022, he returned to form by scoring his **71st international century** after a gap of nearly three years, reinforcing his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.
Legacy
- As of 2024, Virat Kohli has cemented himself as one of cricket's most iconic figures, known for his fierce competitiveness, incredible batting technique, and an insatiable hunger for runs.
- His fitness regimen and commitment to the game have inspired a generation of cricketers.
Kohli's journey is a testament to hard work, resilience, and passion, making him a modern-day legend in the cricketing world.
