Virat Kohli: Career Records, Achievements, IPL Highlights & Controversies

Virat Kohli’s time playing cricket is like something out of a storybook—it’s full of ambition, never giving up, tons of records, and always trying to be the best, which everyone around the world has loved watching. He was born in Delhi on November 5, 1988, and he went from being a kid with potential to one of the best hitters ever to play the game. People know him for how good he is with a bat in his right hand, how quick he is in the field, and how he’s always thinking one step ahead, even when he’s playing aggressively. He really changed the game in India, making everyone see batting, fitness, and how you think about the game differently.

He showed how talented he was early on when he led India’s Under-19 team to win the World Cup in 2008. He had both great skill and a drive that you don’t often see, even in top athletes. He quickly moved up to India’s main team and became a key player in Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is. He played for over 15 years, scoring a bunch of runs and changing how batsmen play in all kinds of situations.

A Career That Gripped Fans in Every Format

Kohli’s numbers on the international stage speak for themselves. Before he stopped playing Test cricket in May 2025, he played 123 matches, scored 9,230 runs with an average of over 46, and hit 30 centuries. That puts him up there with India’s best in red-ball cricket. He could score centuries against any of the big Test teams, and he led the team to that historic Test series win in Australia in 2018-19, which made him a legend.

In ODIs, Kohli was almost always consistent. He broke records for getting to big milestones quickly, like being the fastest to reach 14,000 ODI runs in just 287 innings during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. That put him alongside greats like Sachin Tendulkar, who had held the record before.

His T20I stats might not be as eye-popping as his ODI and Test numbers, but he’s still one of the top run-scorers in that format. He’s known for keeping India’s innings steady with calm and accuracy and handling the pressure when the team needed him most.

IPL Success and His Time with RCB

Virat Kohli’s story in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is really tied to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He’s the only player who’s been with the same team for every season, and he’s scored the most runs in IPL history. He also holds the records for the most centuries and fifties in the league.

But for almost 20 years, RCB couldn’t win the IPL trophy, even with Kohli’s amazing performances. That all changed in 2025 when they finally won their first IPL title after 17 seasons and losing in the final three times before. Kohli’s leadership and reliable batting—he scored 43 in the final—were key to finally getting that win. He cried tears of joy and relief after the win, and it was one of the most talked-about moments of the tournament.

His Mark, Fitness, and Changing Indian Cricket

Kohli did more than just put up numbers; he really changed Indian cricket. He’s known for how seriously he takes fitness and getting ready for games. He made the Indian team raise their standards for being athletic, which changed how they picked players and trained at every level. Even cricket legends and commentators have praised his dedication and professionalism, saying that other players should follow his example.

Kohli also changed the way people think about batting. He could handle pressure with smart aggression and pinpoint accuracy, which changed how teams chase scores in limited-overs cricket. He knew how to time his innings, read the bowlers, and hit those big shots, which made him one of the best at chasing runs.

Records and Big Moments

Kohli has a ton of records. He was the fastest to reach 14,000 ODI runs, he’s scored the most centuries in Indian cricket history, and he’s hit a bunch of batting milestones in every format that very few players have matched. He’s hit 30 Test centuries and has some great leadership stats, which puts him among the best of his time.

Even when he’s not playing internationally, Kohli can still rack up runs. In domestic List A cricket, he went over 16,000 runs, joining Sachin Tendulkar as the only other Indian to reach that mark. That shows how long he’s been able to play and how well he can adjust to different formats and conditions.

How Players Reacted and His Lasting Impact

When Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket, everyone in the cricket world gave him praise. Former teammates, coaches, and even rivals talked about how he did more than just score runs; he led India to play the five-day game with more energy. The ICC Chairman said that Kohli was dedicated to the longest format, even when shorter formats were becoming more popular. Former players complimented his competitiveness and discipline.

Social media was full of people admiring him and showing respect. Fans and other athletes talked about how he inspired them to be great and how he made them love the game. People kept mentioning how intense Kohli was and how much he loved cricket, which shows how much he connected with the cricket community.

Problems and Obstacles

Like any superstar, Kohli’s career had its fair share of arguments. People sometimes questioned his form, especially in his later years of Test cricket, and some on social media criticized his technique or how motivated he was. Some fans thought he wasn’t playing as well as he used to, but others pointed out that he’s still done a lot and has had a huge impact on the game.

There were also talks about whether he was focusing too much on limited-overs cricket and the IPL, which might have hurt his Test game later on. But no matter what people thought, all the discussion just shows how high the expectations were for him and how much people cared about his greatness.

Life After Cricket

Kohli is now in his late 30s, and people are wondering what he’ll do next, especially in ODIs and franchise cricket. He might be done with Test matches, but he’s already made his mark on cricket history. Whether he’s helping his team chase scores in ODIs, teaching younger players, or hitting milestones in domestic and franchise competitions, Kohli will still have an impact.

Basically, Virat Kohli’s story is about more than just runs and records. He made everyone think differently about what athletes can do in cricket because of how committed he was, how intense he played, and how he always tried to be the best. Very few batsmen have had as much of an impact on the game, and when fans and experts look back at his time playing, they’ll see a player who loved the game and inspired millions, setting a new standard for future generations.