Politics
Thursday, 5 November 2026
Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli celebrates his 38th birthday on Thursday, marking another milestone in an illustrious career filled with extraordinary achievements and unforgettable performances. From his early days with a small BDM bat in age-group cricket to dominating international cricket with his MRF Genius bat, Kohli has built a remarkable legacy. His journey has featured record-breaking centuries, major trophies, historic victories, challenging phases and inspiring comebacks. Having started his career as one of the youngest members of the Indian dressing room, he gradually established himself as one of the leading figures in world cricket. His consistency, aggressive approach, fitness and determination have made him a role model for aspiring cricketers. As he enters another year, his ambitions include the 2027 ODI World Cup, reaching the historic milestone of 100 international centuries and winning more IPL titles.
Kohli's cricketing journey began with Delhi's domestic circuit, where he made his first-class debut in the 2006-07 Ranji Trophy season, scoring 257 runs in nine innings at an average of 36.71. He also delivered an outstanding performance in the 2008-09 Vijay Hazare Trophy, scoring 534 runs at an average of 89, including four centuries. His biggest early breakthrough came when he captained India to the 2008 Under-19 World Cup title, finishing as the tournament's third-highest run-scorer with 235 runs. In Test cricket, Kohli established himself as one of India's most successful batters and captains. He holds the record for seven double centuries as an Indian Test captain and led India to 40 victories in 68 Tests. His 20 centuries as captain and 11 consecutive home Test series victories further highlight his remarkable leadership record. He has also scored heavily in challenging overseas conditions, including 12 Test centuries in SENA countries and seven centuries in Australia.
Kohli's achievements in One-Day Internationals have made him one of the most dependable batters in cricket history. He has scored 55 ODI centuries and established himself as the leading run-scorer in successful run chases. His ability to perform under pressure is reflected in his 25 centuries in successful ODI chases. He has also scored more than 7,000 ODI runs on home soil and recorded centuries in several major cricketing nations. In T20 cricket, Kohli has produced equally impressive performances, particularly in successful run chases. His unbeaten performances in eight T20 World Cup matches have coincided with Indian victories. He registered his fastest T20 half-century in just 21 balls against the West Indies in 2019 and scored a memorable IPL century against Kings XI Punjab in 2016. His consistency in the IPL, including four consecutive seasons with more than 600 runs from 2023 to 2026, further demonstrates his longevity and ability to adapt to different formats.
Across international cricket, Kohli has accumulated an extraordinary collection of milestones. Between 2010 and 2019, he scored 20,960 international runs, including 69 centuries, becoming the first cricketer to cross 20,000 international runs in a single decade. He has also won multiple ICC awards and three Player of the Tournament honours across major ICC competitions. His performances in World Cups, Champions Trophy tournaments and knockout matches have further strengthened his reputation as a big-match player. Kohli is also among the few cricketers to achieve major titles across different formats and competitions, including the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, World Test Championship and IPL. His record of 12 international centuries on Australian soil, including seven in Tests and five in ODIs, highlights his exceptional ability to perform overseas. As King Kohli celebrates his 38th birthday, his records continue to reflect an extraordinary career built on discipline, consistency, determination and an unmatched hunger for runs.
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