Virat Kohli Biography, Records, Net Worth, Wife, Career Stats & Complete Guide 2026

There are cricketers. There are great cricketers. And then there is Virat Kohli — a phenomenon who transcends the boundaries of sport to become a cultural force, a global brand, and a once-in-a-generation talent who has rewritten the record books of cricket in ways that may never be equalled. From a teenager who lost his father on the night before a crucial Under-19 match and chose to play anyway — scoring a half-century before returning home for the funeral — to the man who would go on to become India's most decorated batsman and arguably the greatest ODI batsman the game has ever seen, Virat Kohli's story is one of raw talent, fierce determination, and an unquenchable hunger for greatness.

In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything you want to know about Virat Kohli in 2026 — his biography in English, his age and height, his wife Anushka Sharma and children, his net worth in USD, rupees, crores, and PKR, his total runs and centuries across all formats, his complete records list, his IPL career with RCB, his achievements and awards, whether he is retiring, how he compares to Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, and Babar Azam, and answers to every question people are searching about the King of Cricket right now.

Virat Kohli Biography in English — The Complete Story

Virat Kohli Short Biography

Virat Kohli was born on November 5, 1988 in Delhi, India. His full name is Virat Kohli. He is a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler who plays for India in all three formats of international cricket and for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time and is often called the King of Cricket.

Virat Kohli Early Life and Education

Kohli was born into a Punjabi family in Delhi. His father, Prem Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, is a homemaker. He has an elder brother, Vikas, and an elder sister, Bhavna. The family lived in Uttam Nagar, West Delhi.

Kohli showed exceptional cricketing talent from childhood. He began playing cricket seriously at age 9, when his neighbours reportedly urged his parents to enroll him in a proper cricket academy. He joined the West Delhi Cricket Academy in 1998 under coach Rajkumar Sharma, who has remained his coach and mentor throughout his career.

For school, Kohli attended Vishal Bharati Public School in Paschim Vihar and later Savier Convent School. His education was secondary to cricket — by his early teens, it was clear to everyone around him that cricket was not just a hobby but his destiny.

The Night That Defined Virat Kohli

On December 18, 2006, 18-year-old Virat Kohli was playing a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi against Karnataka when he received news that his father had suffered a severe brain stroke and was in critical condition. He stayed by his father's bedside through the night. The next morning — with Delhi in a dire batting position — Kohli chose to go to the ground and bat. He scored 90 runs and helped save Delhi from a follow-on. That evening, his father Prem Kohli passed away. Virat returned from the ground and was back at the match the following morning.

This moment is not just biographical detail — it is the defining story of who Virat Kohli is. A young man who, in his darkest hour, showed the kind of mental fortitude that would characterise his entire career. Cricket was not just a game to him — it was a tribute to his father's belief in him.

Virat Kohli Religion

Virat Kohli is Hindu by religion. He has spoken openly about his spiritual beliefs and has been photographed visiting temples throughout his career. He is known to visit the Vrindavan Dham temple and has spoken about the importance of faith in dealing with the pressures of international cricket.

Is Virat Veg or Non-Veg?

This is one of the most frequently searched questions about Kohli — and the answer has changed. Kohli was a non-vegetarian for most of his early career. However, around 2018, he switched to a largely plant-based, vegetarian diet on the advice of his nutritionist and to address a serious back issue that was affecting his fitness. He has credited his dietary change with a dramatic improvement in his energy levels, recovery time, and overall physical performance. He is now a strong advocate of plant-based nutrition.

Virat Kohli Age, Height, Family, and Personal Life

Virat Kohli Age 2026

Virat Kohli was born on November 5, 1988. As of 2026, he is 37 years old. He will turn 38 in November 2026.

Virat Kohli Height

Virat Kohli stands at 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) — an ideal height for a batsman, giving him excellent reach and balance at the crease.

Virat Kohli Wife — Anushka Sharma

Virat Kohli is married to Anushka Sharma — one of Bollywood's most successful actresses and producers. The couple married on December 11, 2017 in a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy, surrounded by close family and friends. Their wedding surprised the world — it was so well-kept a secret that even most of their Bollywood and cricket colleagues found out through their social media announcement.

Virat Kohli wife age: Anushka Sharma was born on May 1, 1988, making her approximately 6 months older than Virat. Their age difference is minimal — Anushka is slightly older.

Is Anushka Sharma a Punjabi? Yes — Anushka Sharma comes from a Punjabi family. Her father, Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma, is a retired Indian Army officer from Punjab. She was born in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, but grew up across various Indian cities due to her father's military postings.

Virat Kohli Wife and Children

Virat and Anushka have two children:

• Vamika Kohli — daughter, born January 11, 2021
• Akaay Kohli — son, born February 15, 2024

The couple has been extremely protective of their children's privacy — they have never officially shown their faces publicly, a decision that has drawn widespread respect from fans and media alike.

Virat Kohli Wife Net Worth

Anushka Sharma's net worth is estimated at approximately $60–70 million (₹500+ crore), making her one of Bollywood's wealthiest actresses. She is also a successful film producer through her production company Clean Slate Filmz, which has produced critically acclaimed films including NH10, Phillauri, and Pari.

Who Was Virat Kohli's Ex-Girlfriend?

Before marrying Anushka Sharma, Virat Kohli was in a high-profile relationship with Sanjana (a childhood friend) and later with Izabelle Leite, a Brazilian model. His most publicly known relationship before Anushka was with actress Tamannaah Bhatia (though this was never officially confirmed by either party). Kohli and Anushka Sharma first met during a shampoo commercial shoot in 2013 and began dating shortly after.

Who Was Virat Kohli's First Crush?

Virat Kohli has mentioned in interviews that his first celebrity crush was Deepika Padukone — a claim that has often been reported in entertainment media. However, he has also spoken about his admiration for Sachin Tendulkar as his ultimate idol from childhood — not a romantic crush, but the person he most wanted to be like.

Do Virat and Anushka Divorce? — The Truth

No — Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have not divorced and are not separated. Despite persistent tabloid rumors that resurface periodically, the couple remains married and appears by all publicly available evidence to be a strong, committed family unit. Their social media posts, joint appearances, and mutual public support for each other's careers all point to a healthy marriage. The divorce rumors are entirely unsubstantiated and have been denied by representatives of both.

Who Wanted to Marry Virat Kohli?

Given Kohli's status as one of the most handsome and successful sportspeople in the world, numerous celebrities have jokingly expressed admiration for him in interviews over the years. However, this question typically circulates as a social media topic rather than a serious biographical fact. Kohli himself has always been clear that Anushka Sharma is "the one" and has spoken glowingly about their relationship in multiple interviews.

Virat Kohli Career Stats — Total Runs, Centuries, and Records in All Formats

Virat Kohli Career Overview

Virat Kohli made his international debut for India in an ODI against Sri Lanka on August 18, 2008, aged just 19. He made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies. Since then, he has gone on to become the most complete batsman of his generation — a master across all three formats with an unmatched combination of technique, temperament, and run-scoring consistency.

At What Age Did Virat Kohli Start His Career?

Kohli started playing first-class cricket at age 17 (2005–06 Ranji Trophy season for Delhi). He captained India U-19 to the World Cup title in 2008 at age 19, before making his senior international debut later that same year. He effectively began his professional cricket journey at 17 years old.

Virat Kohli Total Centuries — How Many 100s?

As of 2026, Virat Kohli has scored 85+ international centuries across all formats — making him the second-highest century scorer in international cricket history, behind only Sachin Tendulkar's 100 international centuries. Kohli holds the record for the most centuries in ODI cricket with 51 ODI hundreds — a record that surpassed Sachin's 49 ODI centuries in November 2023.

Virat Kohli ODI Centuries — The Record That Shocked the World

Kohli's ODI century record is the most celebrated in cricket. Key facts:

• 51 ODI centuries — the most by any batsman in history
• Scored his 50th ODI century during the 2023 Cricket World Cup — breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49
• ODI centuries against every Test-playing nation
• Last ODI century — continues to add to the tally as of 2026
• Average of 57.8 in ODIs — the highest average for any batsman with 8,000+ ODI runs

Virat Kohli Centuries in Test Cricket

In Tests, Kohli has scored 30 centuries, including seven double centuries (scores over 150). His highest Test score is 254* against South Africa in Pune in 2019. He has centuries against every major Test-playing nation. Notable Test century milestones include his famous hundreds in England, Australia, and South Africa — three of the toughest countries to score centuries in.

Virat Kohli T20 Century

In T20 Internationals, Kohli has scored one century — a brilliant 122* against Afghanistan during the 2022 T20 World Cup Super 12 stage. It was one of the greatest T20 innings ever played, rescuing India from a difficult position and demonstrating Kohli's adaptability to any format and any situation.

Virat Kohli Centuries in IPL

In the IPL, Kohli has scored 8 centuries — the most by any player in IPL history. His highest IPL score is 113 against Gujarat Lions in 2016 — the same season in which he scored a record 973 runs in a single IPL season, a record that still stands unbroken as of 2026.

Virat Kohli ODI Runs — The Complete Picture

Kohli's 14,000+ ODI runs make him the second-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket history, behind only Sachin Tendulkar's 18,426 ODI runs. However, Kohli has a significantly higher batting average than Sachin in ODIs (57.8 vs 44.8), making the statistical comparison fascinating. Kohli achieved his ODI run milestones faster than anyone in history — reaching 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, and 13,000 ODI runs in the fewest innings ever.

Virat Kohli Records List in All Formats

Some of Kohli's most significant records across all formats:

• ✅ Most centuries in ODI cricket — 51 (world record)
• ✅ Fastest to 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, 13,000 ODI runs (all world records in terms of fewest innings)
• ✅ Most runs in a single IPL season — 973 runs (2016)
• ✅ Most IPL centuries — 8 (world record)
• ✅ Most Player of the Match awards in ODIs
• ✅ Second most international centuries — 85+ (behind Sachin's 100)
• ✅ Highest average among batsmen with 10,000+ ODI runs
• ✅ Most centuries in ICC tournament cricket
• ✅ No. 1 Chase Master in ODI cricket — Kohli's batting average when chasing in ODIs exceeds 95, making him statistically the greatest run-chaser in cricket history

Who Is No. 1 Chase Master?

Virat Kohli is universally recognized as the No. 1 Chase Master in cricket history. His average when batting second in ODIs exceeds 95 — meaning on average, when India needs runs to win chasing a target, Kohli scores 95 runs per dismissal. He has won India more ODI matches from difficult chase situations than any other batsman. His ability to pace his innings exactly to the requirement — neither too fast nor too slow — is considered one of the most technically sophisticated skills in batting.

Virat Kohli Net Worth 2026 — Complete Breakdown

Virat Kohli Net Worth in USD

As of 2026, Virat Kohli's estimated net worth is approximately $230–250 million USD — making him one of the wealthiest cricketers and sportspeople in the world.

Virat Kohli Net Worth in Rupees and Crores

Converted to Indian currency, Kohli's net worth is approximately ₹1,900–2,000 crore (Indian Rupees) — making him India's wealthiest active sportsperson.

Virat Kohli Net Worth in PKR

For Pakistani audiences, Kohli's $230 million net worth converts to approximately PKR 63–65 billion at current exchange rates.

What Is Virat Kohli's Salary?

Kohli earns from multiple streams. His BCCI central contract pays him ₹7 crore per year as a Grade A+ player. His IPL contract with RCB is worth ₹21 crore per season. His endorsement income — from brands like Puma, MRF, Audi, and his own One8 brand — earns him an estimated ₹120–150 crore annually, making endorsements by far his largest income source.

Is Kohli Richer Than Sachin?

Yes — Virat Kohli's current net worth exceeds Sachin Tendulkar's. Sachin Tendulkar's net worth is estimated at approximately $170–180 million, while Kohli's is estimated at $230–250 million. The difference is primarily due to the explosion in IPL salaries, global endorsement markets, and social media brand value that occurred after Sachin's retirement — all of which Kohli has benefited from at the peak of his career.

Who Is Richer — Kohli or Dhoni?

MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli have comparable wealth, but estimates vary. Dhoni's net worth is estimated at approximately $120–140 million USD, while Kohli's is estimated at $230–250 million. By these estimates, Kohli is significantly wealthier than Dhoni in 2026. Dhoni's CSK IPL earnings and endorsements are significant but have not matched Kohli's global brand value.

Can Virat Kohli Become a Billionaire?

This is entirely possible. If Kohli successfully transitions from cricket to business ownership — as many former athletes have done globally — and his One8 brand and other ventures scale significantly, reaching billionaire status ($1 billion = ₹8,300+ crore) is conceivable within 15–20 years of his retirement. Several cricket analysts and financial commentators have noted that Kohli's brand is one of the few cricket personalities with genuine global crossover potential.

Who Is Richer — CR7 or Virat Kohli?

Cristiano Ronaldo (CR7) is significantly wealthier than Virat Kohli. Ronaldo's net worth is estimated at approximately $600–700 million USD — more than double Kohli's estimated $230–250 million. Ronaldo's Saudi Arabia salary alone ($200+ million per year) has dramatically accelerated his wealth accumulation in recent years. However, within the cricket world, Kohli's brand value and earning power are unmatched.

Which Cricketer Likes Ronaldo?

Virat Kohli has publicly expressed admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo multiple times. Kohli has cited Ronaldo as one of his inspirations for his obsessive approach to fitness and preparation. The two athletes share similar philosophies about diet, training intensity, mental toughness, and relentless self-improvement. Kohli has called Ronaldo "one of the most dedicated athletes on the planet" — a description that many fans equally apply to Kohli himself in the cricket world.

Virat Kohli Achievements and Awards — The Complete List

Virat Kohli Achievements in Cricket

Kohli's trophy cabinet and individual honours are extraordinary:

How Many Trophies Has Virat Kohli Won?

Kohli has won every major ICC tournament available to him. His most significant team trophies include: the 2008 U-19 World Cup, the 2011 ODI World Cup (as a player), the 2013 Champions Trophy, the 2023 ODI World Cup (as a player — India won after 12 years), and the 2024 T20 World Cup. The 2023 and 2024 victories are particularly significant as they completed Kohli's ICC trophy collection and silenced critics who questioned his team's performance in knockout matches.

Virat Kohli Achievements as Captain

Kohli served as India's Test captain from 2014 to 2022 — the most successful period in Indian Test cricket history. Under his captaincy:

• India won their first-ever Test series in Australia (2018–19 and 2020–21)
• India reached the No. 1 ICC Test ranking for an extended period
• India maintained an extraordinary home Test record — losing only 1 home series in 5 years
• Kohli finished as India's most successful Test captain in terms of wins (40 wins in 68 Tests as captain)

Virat Kohli IPL Career — The RCB Story

Is Virat Kohli Playing for RCB in 2026?

Yes — Virat Kohli continues to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in IPL 2026. Kohli and RCB are inseparable — he has been with the franchise since the very first IPL season in 2008 and has never been released or traded. He is the all-time leading run-scorer in IPL history with 8,000+ runs — a record that is unlikely to be broken for many years.

Who Is the IPL King?

While MS Dhoni is known as the "IPL King" for his leadership (winning 5 IPL titles with CSK), Virat Kohli is undeniably the IPL's greatest batsman. Kohli holds the records for most IPL runs, most IPL centuries, and the highest runs in a single IPL season. If the "IPL King" title is based on batting performance and records, it belongs entirely to Virat Kohli.

Who Has 300 Sixes in IPL?

As of 2026, Chris Gayle holds the record for most sixes in IPL history. Kohli is not in the top tier for sixes — he is primarily a placement and timing batsman rather than a power-hitter. His IPL value comes from his extraordinary consistency, ability to chase targets, and his skill in building innings under pressure.

Virat Kohli Comparisons — vs Sachin, Dhoni, Babar Azam, and Rohit Sharma

Who Is Pakistani Virat Kohli?

The phrase "Pakistani Virat Kohli" is commonly used to refer to Babar Azam — Pakistan's star batsman who plays a similar classical right-handed style to Kohli and has drawn comparisons for his ODI consistency and technique. The comparison is meant as a high compliment. Babar's ODI average of 57+ and his elegant, placement-based batting style are the primary reasons for the comparison. However, Babar himself has always respectfully distanced himself from the comparison, stating he wants to build his own legacy.

Is Babar Azam Rich?

By Pakistani standards, Babar Azam is very wealthy. His estimated net worth is approximately $15–20 million USD — predominantly from his PCB central contract (Pakistan's highest-paid player), PSL salary, and brand endorsements in Pakistan and the UAE. However, compared to Kohli's $230 million, Babar's wealth reflects the significant gap between the IPL's financial scale and other cricket leagues globally.

Who Is the Next Virat Kohli? Who Will Replace Him?

The search for the "next Virat Kohli" is one of cricket's most discussed topics. Several names emerge consistently:

• Shubman Gill — India's most likely long-term ODI batting star. Gill's technique, temperament, and consistency have led many to see him as Kohli's natural successor in the Indian batting lineup. When asked, Shubman Gill has named Virat Kohli as his idol.
• Yashasvi Jaiswal — India's explosive Test opener with extraordinary talent
• Tilak Varma — An exciting T20 prospect for India

However, most analysts are quick to note that there is unlikely to be a true "next Kohli" for many years — his combination of records, leadership, fitness standards, and cultural impact is generational.

Who Is Shubman Gill's Idol?

Shubman Gill has named Virat Kohli as his biggest cricket idol. In interviews, Gill has spoken about watching Kohli's innings growing up and modeling aspects of his own approach — particularly his fitness dedication and his technique against quality fast bowling — on Kohli's example.

Is Virat Kohli Retiring? What Happens Next?

Is Virat Kohli Retiring?

Kohli retired from T20 International cricket after India won the 2024 T20 World Cup — departing on the ultimate high of a World Cup victory. However, as of 2026, he continues to play ODI and Test cricket for India and shows no imminent signs of full retirement from international cricket.

Will Kohli Play in the 2027 World Cup?

The 2027 ODI World Cup is scheduled in South Africa. If Kohli maintains his fitness — which his training regime and diet make highly probable — he will be 38 years old at the time of the tournament. Kohli has not explicitly committed to playing in 2027, but he has also not ruled it out. Given his obsessive fitness standards and the fact that ODI batting ability does not decline as sharply as physical fitness in other sports, many analysts believe Kohli will play the 2027 World Cup — potentially making it a golden farewell tournament.

What Is Virat Kohli's World Record?

Kohli's most celebrated world record is the most centuries in ODI cricket — 51 hundreds, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's 49. This record is considered one of the most significant in cricket history. His fastest-to-various-ODI-run-milestones records (fewest innings to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, and 13,000 ODI runs) are also all world records that remain unbroken.

Is Virat Kohli No. 1 in All Formats?

Kohli has achieved the No. 1 ICC ranking in both ODIs and Tests simultaneously — one of the very few players in history to achieve this across multiple formats. In T20Is, he has also consistently ranked among the top 5 globally. His current ICC rankings vary by format but he remains comfortably in the top tier across ODIs and Tests as of 2026.

What Is Virat Kohli's Current Ranking?

Kohli's ICC rankings fluctuate based on recent performances. For the most up-to-date ranking, visit the official ICC Rankings page for Virat Kohli. His detailed career batting and bowling stats are available on ESPNcricinfo's Virat Kohli profile.

Can Virat Kohli Make 100 Centuries?

The question of whether Kohli can match Sachin's 100 international centuries is one of cricket's most debated topics. As of 2026 with 85+ centuries and potentially 2–3 more playing years, reaching 100 is mathematically possible but would require Kohli to remain consistent at the highest level. Most analysts believe 90–95 centuries is the realistic ceiling — an achievement that would still cement his legacy as the greatest of his generation.

Virat Kohli — Frequently Asked Questions and Fascinating Facts

Who Has 900 Rating in All Formats?

Achieving a 900+ ICC rating points is one of the rarest feats in cricket. Virat Kohli has reached 900+ ICC rating points in ODIs — joining an elite club that includes only Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, and a handful of others. In Tests, Kohli has peaked at approximately 937 rating points — among the highest ever recorded.

Has Anyone Chased 400 in ODI?

No team has successfully chased 400+ runs in an ODI. The highest successful ODI chase in history is India's chase of 438 against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006 — a match widely considered the greatest ODI ever played. Kohli was not part of that team (he debuted in 2008), but he has been involved in several massive successful chases throughout his career.

Who Hit 6 Sixes in an Over in ODI?

The most famous instance of 6 sixes in an over in international cricket is Herschelle Gibbs hitting 6 sixes off Daan van Bunge in the 2007 Cricket World Cup. In T20 International cricket, Yuvraj Singh's 6 sixes off Stuart Broad in the 2007 T20 World Cup remains the most celebrated. Kohli has not hit 6 sixes in an over but has hit numerous massive sixes throughout his career.

What Is 269 in Virat?

The number "269" refers to Virat Kohli's shirt number — he wears #18 for India (his birth date is November 5, i.e., the 5th day — but he uses 18 as his preferred number). The "269" reference may relate to a specific statistics milestone or running joke in cricket fan communities. Kohli's official number is 18.

What Is Virat Kohli's Highest Score in ODI?

Virat Kohli's highest individual score in ODIs is 183 runs against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup — an innings that became legendary as one of the greatest ODI innings ever played. He scored those runs in a chase against Pakistan's bowling attack in a tense Asia Cup encounter.

Who Hit 50 Runs in 9 Balls?

This refers to one of the fastest fifties in T20 cricket history. The record for the fastest fifty in T20I cricket belongs to Yuvraj Singh, who hit his 50 off just 12 balls against England in the 2007 T20 World Cup (in the same over where he hit 6 sixes off Flintoff). In pure ball-count terms for 50 runs in 9 balls, this may refer to domestic T20 records that are not part of Kohli's statistical profile.

Virat Kohli Birth Place

Virat Kohli was born in Delhi, India — specifically in the western Delhi neighbourhood of Uttam Nagar. He grew up in Delhi and played his early cricket in Delhi's cricket development system before making his Ranji Trophy debut for Delhi and eventually breaking into the Indian national team.

Conclusion: Why Virat Kohli Is the King of Cricket

The title "King of Cricket" is not given lightly in a sport with over 150 years of history and legends like Don Bradman, Garfield Sobers, Sachin Tendulkar, and Brian Lara. Yet Virat Kohli has earned this title not just through statistics — though his statistics are extraordinary — but through the manner in which he has played, led, and lived.

He has the most ODI centuries in history. He is the greatest chase batsman the game has ever seen. He has led India to their first Test series win in Australia. He has won every major ICC tournament available to him. He has maintained a fitness standard that has raised the bar for every Indian cricketer who followed. And he has done all of this while being one of the most scrutinized, criticized, and celebrated public figures in the world's second most populous country.

As Kohli moves into the twilight of his playing career, the records he leaves behind will stand for years. The 51 ODI centuries. The No. 1 status across formats. The IPL runs record. The Test wins as captain. But perhaps his most enduring legacy will be simpler than any statistic: he showed a generation of cricketers that it is possible to be the best in the world and keep getting better — that talent without dedication is wasted, and that the true measure of a champion is not how high they rise, but how hard they fight to stay there.

For more cricket stats and records, check out Virat Kohli's complete stats on ESPNcricinfo and his official ICC player profile and rankings.