- By Namrata Vijay
- Wed, 05 Nov 2025 10:35 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Happy Birthday Virat Kohli: Ex-India skipper Virat Kohli, who is considered one of the batters of the modern era, has turned 37 on Wednesday, November 5. His name had become synonymous with passion and consistency. His story isn't just about the runs but also his aim to be the best both on and off the field.
Hailing from a middle-class family, Kohli's early life was quite similar to that of any boy who loved to play this sport. His father, Prem Kohli, was a lawyer, and his mother was a homemaker; both of them had supported him since the beginning.
When he was just 9 years old, he began playing for the West Delhi Cricket Academy, where the coaches saw his brilliant timing. When he was a teenager, he began playing for Delhi in the U-15 and U-17 categories.
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From Delhi’s Dust to the World Stage
Way back in 2008, he led India's U19 team to their first title of the ICC Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia. And then he received his maiden call-up for the senior side in the ODI series against Sri Lanka.
He didn't smash any hundreds in his initial days, but he did show signs of the ability to perform well in pressure situations. He then sealed his position in India's playing XI, and in the 2011 World Cup, which the side won after 28 years, Kohli did play a huge role as a middle-order batter.
After a few years, he had become an upcoming talent and dependable batter in all formats. His ability to score runs was brilliant, whether it was chasing targets in ODIs or spearheading the batting attack in the longest format.
Records and Stats
He holds the record for most centuries in ODI history, 50, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s 49 during the 2023 World Cup semifinal against New Zealand.
Kohli is now the second-highest run-getter in One-Day Internationals, overtaking Kumar Sangakkara’s 14,234 runs and closing in on Sachin Tendulkar’s 18,426.
In Test cricket, Kohli ranks as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer, trailing behind Tendulkar, Dravid, and Gavaskar, and sits 19th globally among the all-time greats.
He finished his T20I career as the third-highest run-scorer, with 4,188 runs in 125 matches, including one century and 38 fifties.
Known for his consistency and unmatched hunger, Kohli remains the only player to combine over 25,000 international runs with 50 ODI hundreds across formats.