Virat Kohli is an Indian top-order batter from Delhi whose career has moved from an Under-19 World Cup triumph to senior World Cup glory, India captaincy and a record-setting IPL journey with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Know the player
Virat Kohli at a glance
- Date of birth
- 5 November 1988
- Age
- 37 years
- Birthplace
- Delhi, India
- Playing role
- Top-order batter
- Batting style
- Right-handed
- ODI debut
- 18 August 2008
- Domestic team
- Delhi
- IPL team
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- India status
- ODI player
Profile checked on 14 October 2026. Age is calculated from the date of birth.
Where it began
Early life and domestic breakthrough
Virat Kohli was born in Delhi on 5 November 1988 and grew up playing cricket in the city. He trained at the West Delhi Cricket Academy, then progressed through Delhi age-group cricket. He was the leading run-scorer for Delhi Under-17 in the 2003–04 Vijay Merchant Trophy.
His senior domestic debut came for Delhi against Services in a one-day match in February 2006. He made his first-class debut against Tamil Nadu later that year. A difficult 90 against Karnataka in December 2006 showed the temperament that would become a central part of his batting story.
The first big stage
Under-19 captain to India prospect
In 2008, Virat Kohli captained India to the ICC Under-19 World Cup title in Malaysia. That win brought an IPL contract with RCB and put him on the senior selectors’ radar. He made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on 18 August 2008.
His first ODI hundred arrived against Sri Lanka in 2009. He was then part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning side, scoring a hundred in the tournament opener against Bangladesh and 35 in the final against Sri Lanka.
India career
From young batter to captain
Virat Kohli made his Test debut against the West Indies in Kingston in June 2011. His first Test hundred came in Adelaide on the 2011–12 Australia tour. In one-day cricket, his 183 against Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup became an early marker of his ability to control a chase.
He led India in Tests to 40 wins from 68 matches, the most Test victories by an Indian captain, according to the ICC. He also won the 2013 Champions Trophy and the 2024 T20 World Cup as a player. The latter ended with his match-winning 76 against South Africa, after which he retired from T20 internationals. On 12 May 2025, he retired from Tests with 9,230 runs, 30 hundreds and 123 matches.
The franchise journey
One IPL shirt, two title celebrations
Virat Kohli has played every IPL season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He became RCB’s full-time captain in 2013 and led the side to the 2016 final, when he scored a record 973 runs and won the Orange Cap.
RCB won its first IPL title in 2025 under Rajat Patidar. In 2026, the team retained the trophy, beating Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the final. Kohli finished that match unbeaten on 75 from 42 balls and ended the season with 675 runs. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru team profile provides the franchise context.
Latest verified context · October 2026
ODI cricket is his remaining India format
Virat Kohli remains an India ODI player after retiring from T20Is and Tests. On 26 September 2026, he said the 2027 ODI World Cup would be his last World Cup for India. He was named in India’s squad for the West Indies ODI series and last played the third match in New Chandigarh on 3 October 2026.
The journey in order
Career timeline
- 2006Delhi senior debutPlayed his first one-day match for Delhi against Services.
- 2008Under-19 World Cup and India debutCaptained India to the title, then made his ODI debut in August.
- 2011World Cup winner and Test debutHelped India win the ODI World Cup before entering Test cricket.
- 2013–2016Captaincy and IPL peakLed RCB full-time from 2013; scored 973 IPL runs in 2016.
- 2024–2025T20 World Cup and Test retirementWon the T20 World Cup, then retired from T20Is and Tests.
- 2026Back-to-back IPL titlesHelped RCB win the 2026 final with an unbeaten 75.
Standout chapters
Major achievements
Scored in 123 Tests before retiring from the format in May 2025.
His single-season IPL record, made for RCB.
Part of India’s home World Cup-winning team.
Helped the franchise win in 2025 and retain the IPL crown in 2026.
Quick answers
Virat Kohli biography FAQs
How old is Virat Kohli?
He is 37 years old as of 14 October 2026. He was born on 5 November 1988.
Where is Virat Kohli from?
He was born and raised in Delhi, India, and came through Delhi’s age-group and senior cricket system.
When did Virat Kohli make his India debut?
His ODI debut came against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on 18 August 2008. He made his Test debut in 2011 and T20I debut in 2010.
Which IPL team has Virat Kohli played for?
He has played every IPL season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Has Virat Kohli retired from international cricket?
He has retired from T20Is and Tests. As of 14 October 2026, he remains available for India in ODIs.
What is Virat Kohli’s biggest IPL achievement?
He helped RCB win consecutive IPL titles in 2025 and 2026. His 973 runs in IPL 2016 remain an IPL single-season record.
