On 12 May 2025, aged 36, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from the Test format. He is married to actress Anushka Sharma, and they have two children. Let’s take a look at what Virat Kohli has achieved in his Career.
Introduction: The Man Who Redefined Modern Batting
Virat Kohli isn’t just a cricketer; he’s a cultural phenomenon. With 17+ years of dominance, the Delhi-born prodigy has shattered records while carrying the hopes of 1.4 billion Indians. As of 2025, Kohli remains cricket’s most influential active player – a master tactician, fitness revolutionary, and India’s highest-paid athlete. This deep dive explores his journey from gully cricket to global icon.
Chapter 1: Roots & Family – The Foundation of Greatness
Born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi’s middle-class Prem Nagar colony, Virat’s passion for cricket was ignited at age 3. His father, Prem Kohli (criminal lawyer), mortgaged jewelry to fund his training, while mother Saroj Kohli cooked meals for his teammates. Tragedy struck in 2006 when Prem died during Virat’s Ranji Trophy match – the son returned the next day to score 90*, cementing his warrior ethos.
The Kohli-Sharma Dynasty:
- Anushka Sharma (Wife): Bollywood superstar turned producer. Their 2017 Tuscan wedding broke the internet.
- Vamika & Akaay (Children): Born 2021/2024. Virat credits fatherhood for his “calmer aggression”.
- Vikas Kohli (Brother): Manages Virat’s business empire.
“My family is my anchor. Anushka’s sacrifice – pausing her career for my cricket – is why I still play with fire.” – Kohli on Breakfast with Champions.
Chapter 2: Career Evolution – From Chubby Teen to Captain Colossus
The Meteoric Rise
- 2008: ODI debut vs Sri Lanka – scored 12 runs. Critics called him “brash”.
- 2011: World Cup winner – pivotal 35* in final. Became India’s chase-master.
- 2013: Took Test captaincy from Dhoni. Led India to #1 ICC ranking within 3 years.
- 2023: Broke Tendulkar’s ODI centuries record (50* vs NZ in WC semifinal).
Captaincy Legacy
| Format | Matches | Won | Win % | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 68 | 40 | 58.82% | 2 Border-Gavaskar Trophies |
| ODI | 95 | 65 | 68.42% | 2017 CT, 3 Asia Cups |
| T20I | 50 | 30 | 60.00% | N/A (2016 WC semifinalist) |
IPL Journey: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Beating Heart
- 2008-Present: Only player retained every season by RCB.
- 2023: Became first to 7,000 IPL runs during 82* vs Mumbai Indians.
- 2025: Scored back-to-back centuries in playoffs, taking RCB to finals.
IPL Career Stats (2008-2025)
| Season | Runs | Avg | Strike Rate | High Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 8618+ | 39.5 | 132.9 | 113 (2016) |
| 2025 | 648 | 46.28 | 138.62 | 114* vs GT |
Chapter 3: By the Numbers – Statistical Dominance
Virat Kohli Stats – International Cricket (As of June 2025)
| Format | Innings | Runs | Average | 100s/50s | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 210 | 9,230 | 46.9 | 30/31 | 254* vs SA |
| ODI | 290 | 14,181 | 57.9 | 51/74 | 183 vs PAK |
| T20I | 117 | 4,188 | 48.7 | 1/38 | 122* vs AFG |
Historic Achievements:
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- 🏏 Fastest to: 8K Test runs, 13K ODI runs, 25K international runs
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- ⚡ Only player with 50+ averages in all 3 formats
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- 🌍 Holds record for most runs in T20 World Cups (1,190 runs)
Chapter 4: The $170 Million Empire – Business & Endorsements
Virat Kohli Net Worth 2025 Breakdown
| Source | Annual Earnings | Key Entities |
|---|---|---|
| Cricket Contracts | ₹32 crore | BCCI (A+), RCB |
| Endorsements | ₹200+ crore | Puma, MRF, Audi, Manyavar, Google Pay |
| Business Equity | ₹110 crore | One8 (lifestyle), Wrogn (fashion), FC Goa |
Top 5 Lucrative Endorsements:
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- Puma: ₹110 crore/year – Kohli’s Performance Collection
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- MRF: ₹30 crore/year – Iconic bat sticker since 2017
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- Audemars Piguet: ₹18 crore/year – Limited edition “Royal Oak Kohli” watches
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- Manyavar: ₹45 crore/year – “The Kohli-Sharma Wedding Collection”
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- Blue Tribe: Plant-based meat startup – 12% equity stake
Luxury Assets:
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- 🏠 Mumbai Sea-Facing Penthouse: 10,000 sq ft with private cricket pitch (₹80 crore)
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- ✈️ Frequent Flyer: Chartered Embraer Legacy 500 for tours
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- 🚗 Garage: Customized Audi R8 V10, Bentley Bentayga (eco-friendly fuel conversion)
Chapter 5: Off the Field – Philanthropy & Persona
The Kohli Foundation:
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- Trains 85 underprivileged athletes/year at Bengaluru’s “VK High-Performance Center”.
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- Donated ₹11 crore for Uttarakhand flood relief (2024).
Fitness Revolution:
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- Credited with changing Indian cricket’s fitness culture.
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- Runs “One8 & Puma Human Lab” – sports science facility testing 2,000+ athletes annually.
Controversies:
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- 2022 rift with BCCI over “rest protocols”.
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- Fined ₹12 lakh for disputing DRS call in 2023 Ashes-style Test vs England.
Illustrious legacy 🇮🇳
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 12, 2025
Inspiring intensity 👏
Incredible icon ❤️
The Former #TeamIndia Captain gave it all to Test Cricket 🙌
Thank you for the memories in whites, Virat Kohli 🫡#ViratKohli | @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/febCkcFhoC
The Final Innings? What Lies Ahead…
At 36, Kohli shows no decline – his 2025 IPL strike rate (138.62) is his highest since 2016. While he retired from T20Is after the 2024 World Cup win, insiders hint at a “Farewell Test Series” vs Australia in 2026. As coach of RCB’s junior team and UN Sustainable Development ambassador, his legacy is secure.
“Records are temporary, but the impact you leave is permanent.” – Kohli’s speech at SCG, January 2025.
Retirements
After winning the 2024 T20 World Cup and winning the Player of the Match award in the final, Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is. On 12 May 2025, aged 36, he announced his retirement from the Test format. He is married to actress Anushka Sharma, and they have two children.
Sources & Further Reading:
Data updated as of June 2025. All financial figures in USD equivalents.
