Virat Kohli Net Worth: A Cricketing Legend

Virat Kohli is a name that needs no introduction in the world of cricket. He is one of the most successful cricketers in the world and has a huge fan following across the globe. Kohli is known for his aggressive batting style, leadership skills, and his passion for the game. In this article, we will discuss Virat Kohli Net Worth, early years, career, personal life, controversies, awards, and achievements.

Virat Kohli Net Worth

Early Years

Virat Kohli was born November 5, 1988, in Delhi, India. His father, Prem Nath Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, while his mother, Saroj Kohli, was a housewife. Kohli was the youngest of three siblings and grew up in a middle-class home. He began playing cricket at a young age and was trained by Rajkumar Sharma during his formative years.

Kohli joined the Upton Cricket Club when he was nine years old, where he sharpened his talents and had a strong desire to achieve. Virat Kohli’s cricket career began modestly in October 2002 at the Luhnu Cricket Ground, where he made his junior debut and scored only fifteen runs. However, his brilliance quickly became apparent. He impressed everyone with his first half-century against Haryana, finishing the season as his team’s leading run-scorer.

Amateur Career

Kohli’s leadership abilities were acknowledged during the 2003-04 season when he was named captain of the Under-15 squad. His outstanding performance, which included a maiden century against Jammu and Kashmir, garnered him praise and recognition.

Kohli was selected for the prestigious 2004-05 Vijay Merchant Trophy, where he achieved an impressive score of 251. Despite confronting personal sorrow during a match against Karnataka, Kohli’s resolve and bravery shone through as he continued to play an important role for his side.

His T20 debut in April 2007 marked another watershed moment in his career, establishing him as his team’s leading run-scorer. Kohli’s ability to perform under duress was demonstrated in September 2008 when he hit 197 runs against the SNGPL.

When Kohli returned to domestic cricket in the 2009-10 Ranji Trophy season, he confirmed his competitive attitude with a magnificent 67-run effort against Maharastra, gaining accolades from teammates such as Ashish Nehra.

Kohli’s experience with the India Under-19 team began in July 2006, where he demonstrated his batting talent against difficult opponents including as England and Pakistan. His great leadership abilities were on full display during the 2008 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, as he led the team to victory with outstanding batting performances.

Kohli and his teammates were awarded the Border-Gavaskar scholarship in June 2008, which allowed them to receive crucial instruction at Cricket Australia’s Centre of Excellence. Kohli’s continuous performances piqued the interest of national selectors, who called him up to the senior team in Colombo, ushering in a fruitful international career for him.

International Career

In August 2008, Virat Kohli was unexpectedly called up to the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka trip and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan. Despite being fresh to the scene, he was catapulted into the starting lineup due to injuries to key players. Kohli’s international debut came at the age of 19, and he was quickly dismissed in his first encounter. However, he swiftly recovered in the fourth ODI, scoring his first half-century with an outstanding performance.

After the Champions Trophy was postponed, Kohli joined the India A squad for unofficial Test matches against Australia A. Despite not having many opportunities to exhibit his abilities, he made an impression with a memorable innings. Then, in October 2008, he made headlines by striking a century against a formidable Australian squad during a tour match.

Despite being picked for the home ODI series against England in November 2008, Kohli did not play. However, the BCCI recognized his potential by awarding him a Grade D contract. But early the following year, he was disappointed when he was dropped from the ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Kohli’s significant breakthrough came in July-August 2009, when he won the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia, scoring the most runs. This spectacular performance marked a turning point in his career, drawing the attention of selectors.

After recovering from a shoulder injury in August 2009, Kohli played an important role in the Sri Lanka tri-series and the Champions Trophy, filling in for injured players. In December of that year, he made history by making his first ODI century against Sri Lanka, clinching the series for India.

2010-2012

Kohli made waves in January 2010 by scoring two ODI hundreds in a tri-nation competition in Bangladesh, winning accolades from captain MS Dhoni. His excellent streak continued as he became India’s best ODI run-scorer in 2010.

Kohli’s rise continued into 2011, highlighted by his performance in the World Cup, where he struck a century on debut and was instrumental in India’s victory. In his Test debut against the West Indies in June, he struggled at first, but he showed resilience.

Despite battling hurdles, Kohli’s dedication shone through, particularly in the ODI series against England and the West Indies. By the end of 2011, he was India’s leading ODI run-scorer, and he proceeded to shine in Test cricket, gaining praise for his century against Australia in a difficult series.

In 2012, Virat Kohli demonstrated his batting abilities in a variety of tournaments and series. During the Commonwealth Bank triangular series, he picked up significantly, scoring two fifties against Sri Lanka. But the highlight was his undefeated 133 runs off 86 balls, which enabled India cruise to victory. He even received the Man of the Match award for his outstanding effort. It was regrettable that India was unable to move further in the series, but Kohli emerged as India’s leading scorer with an excellent average of 53.28.

Then came the 2012 Asia Cup in Bangladesh, where Kohli was named vice-captain. He dominated the event, scoring the most runs (357 at an average of 119). His effort against Pakistan was just spectacular, scoring 183 runs and leading India to their most successful ODI run chase at the time. It’s no surprise he was named Man of the Match following his record-breaking performance.

2012-2014

Kohli continued his great form with two hundred on the ODI tour of Sri Lanka later that year, earning him the Man of the Match award in both games and, ultimately, the Player of the Series honor. And let’s not forget his excellent performance in the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, when he was India’s leading run-scorer and played vital innings against Afghanistan and Pakistan, earning Man of the Match accolades in both games.

However, Kohli’s journey was not without challenges. He had some difficult times on England’s tour of India in 2012-2013, particularly with his Test form at first and against Pakistan in the limited-overs series. However, he demonstrated his true grit by achieving a patient century in the final Test against England. And when Australia called for a home Test series, Kohli rose to the occasion, recording his fourth Test century and guiding India to a historic 4-0 series sweep.

In June 2013, Kohli was instrumental in India’s win in the ICC Champions Trophy in England, scoring important runs in the semi-finals and final. The ICC named him to its ‘Team of the Tournament’ in recognition of his outstanding performance.

Kohli wasn’t quite at his best in the buildup to the World Cup, as evidenced by his modest scores of 18 and 5 in warm-up matches against Australia and Afghanistan. But when the World Cup arrived, he really stepped up, scoring 107 runs from 126 deliveries and the Man of the Match. Despite a wobble against South Africa, Kohli was consistent in the other group matches, contributing to India’s triumphs with scores of 33, 33, 44, and 38, respectively. India emerged as Pool B’s undefeated leaders, but their journey came to an end in the semi-final against Australia, when Kohli was removed for one run.

2015-2016

During India’s tour of Bangladesh in June 2015, Kohli struggled, scoring only 14 in the Test and averaging 16.33 in the ODI series, which Bangladesh won 2-1. Despite India’s defeat in the first Test of the Sri Lankan trip, he responded with his 11th Test century. They turned the tide and won the series 2-1, Kohli’s first Test series triumph as captain and India’s first away series win in four years.

Kohli established a fast pace against South Africa, being the fastest batsman at the time to achieve 1,000 runs in T20Is and also scoring a century in the ODI series, which helped India level the game. Despite the series loss, Kohli’s form has remained remarkable. Under his leadership, India defeated South Africa 3-0 in the Test series, rising to second place in the ICC Test rankings. Kohli scored 200 runs in the series, averaging 33.33.

Kohli began the 2016 limited-overs tour of Australia with a bang, scoring back-to-back centuries and breaking records as the fastest to reach 7,000 runs and 25 centuries in ODIs. Despite losing the ODI series 1-4, India came back to defeat Australia 3-0 in the T20Is, with Kohli playing a key role in all three matches and winning the Man of the Series title.

His enthusiasm continued over into the Asia Cup, when he helped India win by scoring important runs against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh in the final. Kohli won the Man of the Tournament award for the second time in a row at the 2016 ICC World Twenty20, thanks to his outstanding efforts, including an unbeaten 82 against Australia in the key match.

2016-2021

During India’s Test series against the West Indies, Kohli scored his maiden double century in first-class cricket, helping India to their largest triumph outside of Asia. In the series against New Zealand, he scored another double century, adding to India’s 3-0 triumph and reclaiming the top spot in the ICC Test rankings.

From 2017 to 2018, Kohli maintained his dominance batting, scoring double century in consecutive series against England and Bangladesh, breaking records and cementing his status as one of the best batters of his generation. He also led India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy, scoring 8,000 ODI runs in record time.

Kohli’s incredible streak continued with ODI hundreds against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, equal Ricky Ponting’s total of 30 ODI centuries. He has set multiple Test cricket records, becoming the fastest captain to reach 5,000 runs and scoring his 70th century in international cricket.

Despite a slump in form during India’s tours of New Zealand and Australia in 2020-2021, during which he struggled to make significant contributions across formats, Kohli received nominations for several ICC awards. Eventually, he won the prestigious ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade and ODI Cricketer of the Decade awards.

Kohli’s performances in the English cricket team’s 2020-2021 tour to India were mixed. In the Test series, he scored 172 runs, including two half-centuries and two ducks. He did, however, find his rhythm in the T20Is, emerging as the series’ leading run-scorer with an astounding 231 runs, earning him the title of Man of the Series. Moving on to the ODI series, he added 129 runs to his total and became the second batter after Ricky Ponting to reach 10,000 runs at number three.

2021-2023

Despite Kohli’s best efforts, India failed to win the 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final against New Zealand. In the subsequent Test series against England, he scored 249 runs but struggled with swinging deliveries. Despite his personal struggles, India won two of the four matches, with Kohli becoming only the second captain, after Kapil Dev, to win two tests in a series in England.

Kohli’s shift away from captaincy began with his resignation from the T20I captaincy following the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, in which India failed to reach the semifinals. Later, Rohit Sharma took over as ODI captain, and Kohli relinquished his Test captaincy following India’s series loss to South Africa in January 2022. Despite these adjustments, Kohli’s individual performance has remained good, as evidenced by his maiden T20I century against Afghanistan during the Asia Cup 2022.

His rise continued into the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where he scored important runs and helped India win several matches. Kohli finished the tournament with the most runs and was named to the Tournament Team. He made an impression during India’s tour of Bangladesh in 2022-23, breaking Ricky Ponting’s record for the second-most century achieved across formats in international cricket.

2023

Virat Kohli’s cricket career in 2023 was marked by a series of highs and lows. It all started with a bang, as he scored a century against Sri Lanka to begin the year. His best performance came in the third ODI, when he scored an unbroken 166 runs, breaking records left and right. Not only did he become India’s highest century-maker and leading centurion versus Sri Lanka, but he also rose through the ranks to become one of the best ODI run scorers in the world. India’s victory over Sri Lanka was overwhelming, with a margin of 317 runs.

Kohli faced some early hurdles in the Border-Gavaskar series, but he rallied in the last test, scoring a well-deserved century, his first in three years. Then came the historic Test series against the West Indies, in which Kohli not only played his 500th international match, but also scored his 29th Test century, cementing his status as a cricket icon. His performance over the first 500 matches distinguished him as the leading run-scorer, demonstrating his consistency and excellence.

The 2023 Asia Cup provided another opportunity for Kohli to shine, as he demonstrated his domination with a magnificent century against Pakistan and a record-breaking partnership with KL Rahul. His achievement of becoming the fastest batter to score 13,000 ODI runs, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar, adds to his already impressive resume.

CWC

Then came the peak of his career, the 2023 Cricket World Cup, where Kohli’s exploits knew no bounds. He played vital innings against difficult opponents such as Australia, Bangladesh, and New Zealand, setting records in the process. His accomplishments of amassing the most runs in a calendar year and becoming the first player to reach 50 hundreds in ODI cricket were watershed moments in his successful career. Kohli’s outstanding performance earned him the coveted Player of the Tournament award, with a record-breaking 765 runs and the greatest batting average in tournament history.

In the Boxing Day Test against South Africa, he broke Sangakkara’s record by hitting more than 2000 runs in international cricket in a calendar year for the seventh consecutive time.

Personal Life

In 2017, Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in a private ceremony in Italy. Since then, the couple has been in the spotlight, with a large social media following. Kohli is a vegetarian and well-known fitness enthusiast. He has also worked with several brands and is one of the world’s highest-paid cricketers.

Awards and Achievements

Virat Kohli has amassed numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his illustrious cricketing career. In 2013, he received the Arjuna Award, the second highest sporting honor in India. Four years later, in 2017, he received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award. The pinnacle of his sporting achievements occurred in 2018 when he received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India’s highest sporting honor.

His excellence on the cricket field has garnered global recognition, as evidenced by numerous accolades from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Kohli received the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Decade for the period 2011-2020.

He also clinched the ICC Cricketer of the Year award in 2017 and 2018, along with several other awards including ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Decade and ICC ODI Player of the Year on multiple occasions.

Kohli’s inclusion in various ICC teams of the year across formats highlights his consistent performance and dominance in international cricket. He received recognition by cricketing publications such as Wisden, earning the title of Leading Cricketer in the World for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018.

Beyond cricket, Kohli has received recognition for his impact off the field as well. He received the GQ Sportsman of the Year in 2013 and the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year in 2017. His advocacy for the ethical treatment of animals resulted in PETA India naming him Person of the Year in 2019.

The (DDCA) recognized him by renaming a stand after him at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in Delhi.

Frequently Asked Questions About Virat Kohli

1. Who is Virat Kohli?

Kohli is an Indian cricketer and the current captain of the Indian national cricket team.

2. When was Virat Kohli born?

Kohli was born on November 5, 1988.

3. Where was Virat Kohli born?

Kohli was born in Delhi, India.

4. What is Virat Kohli’s batting style?

Kohli is a right-handed batsman. His battling style is a combination of traditional and modern tactics, marked by great footwork, a strong back-foot game, and a wide range of shots from the off-side

5. What is Virat Kohli’s highest score in cricket?

Kohli’s highest score in cricket is 254.

6. How many centuries has Virat Kohli scored in international cricket?

Kohli has scored 80 centuries in international cricket.

7. How many centuries has Virat Kohli scored in IPL?

Kohli has scored 8 centuries in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

8. What is Virat Kohli’s highest score in IPL?

Kohli’s highest score in IPL is 113.

9. How many times has Virat Kohli won the IPL?

Kohli has not won the IPL yet.

10. How many times has Virat Kohli won the ICC Player of the Year award?

Kohli has won the ICC Player of the Year award once.

11. How many times has Virat Kohli received the Wisden Cricketer of the Year award?

Kohli has received the Wisden Cricketer of the Year award thrice.

12. How many times has Virat Kohli earned the title of ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year?

Kohli has earned the title of ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year four times.

13. How many times has Virat Kohli won the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award?

Kohli has won the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award once.

14. Did Virat Kohli marry?

Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma.

Conclusion

Virat Kohli is undoubtedly one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He has been a consistent for the Indian cricket team and has won numerous awards and accolades. Kohli’s net worth is a testament to his success and his popularity among the masses. He continues to inspire millions of people across the world with his passion and dedication towards the game of cricket.