This article explains Virat Kohli’s IPL career through key numbers, major records, and season-wise performances. It also explores his role in shaping RCB’s identity and his lasting impact on the league.
Virat Kohli IPL Player Bio
- Full Name: Virat Kohli
- Born: November 5, 1988, Delhi, India
- Role: Top-order Batter
- Batting Style: Right-hand bat | Bowling: Right-arm medium
- IPL Team: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (2008–2025)
Virat Kohli Early Life & Foundation
Early Life and Cricketing Roots
Virat Kohli was born on November 5, 1988, in Delhi and began his cricketing journey at the West Delhi Cricket Academy at a young age. From the outset, his discipline, hunger, and competitive mindset set him apart from his peers.
He progressed rapidly through Delhi’s age-group system and finished as the leading run-scorer in the 2003–04 Vijay Merchant Trophy (Under-17). In 2006, Kohli made his domestic debut for Delhi, earning early recognition as a batter who thrived under pressure.
Under-19 World Cup Breakthrough
Kohli’s breakthrough came in 2008 when he captained India to the ICC Under-19 World Cup title in Malaysia. The victory marked him as a future leader and directly led to his selection by Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the inaugural IPL season.
Virat Kohli IPL Career Overview
IPL Career in Brief
Virat Kohli is the only player in IPL history to represent a single franchise across all seasons, playing exclusively for Royal Challengers Bengaluru from 2008 to 2025.
After modest early returns, Kohli evolved into RCB’s batting cornerstone through consistency, fitness, and adaptability, becoming one of the league’s most reliable run-scorers.
Leadership, Peak Years, and Title Win
Kohli captained RCB from 2013 to 2021, guiding the team to multiple playoff appearances. His 2016 season remains one of the greatest individual IPL campaigns, with 973 runs and four centuries.
Despite runner-up finishes in 2011 and 2016, Kohli remained loyal to RCB. That loyalty was rewarded in IPL 2025, when the franchise secured its maiden title, ending an 18-year wait.
Virat Kohli Playing Style & Impact
Playing Style
Virat Kohli is a classical top-order batter known for precision, fitness, and chase mastery. He excels in run chases by rotating strike efficiently before accelerating with controlled aggression.
His technique is built on balance, quick footwork, and strong bottom-hand shots, making him effective across conditions and phases of the game.
Virat Kohli Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- One of the greatest run-chasers in cricket history
- Exceptional fitness and long-term consistency
- Strong leadership and big-match temperament
- Proven performer in both IPL and ICC tournaments
Weaknesses
- Early-career struggles against high-quality swing bowling
- Occasional form slumps magnified by high expectations
Virat Kohli Records, Achievements & Career Milestones
International Career Highlights
ODIs
- Fastest batter to reach 8,000–14,000 ODI runs
- First player to score 50 ODI centuries
- 765 runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup (most in a single edition)
- Multiple-time ICC ODI Player of the Year
Tests
- Over 9,200 Test runs with 29 centuries
- Led India to their first-ever Test series win in Australia (2018–19)
- India’s most successful Test captain by number of wins
T20Is
- Player of the Tournament at the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups
- Retired after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup
Season-Wise IPL Performance
- 2008-2010: Development phase, limited middle-order opportunities
- 2011: Breakout season; RCB reach IPL final
- 2013-2021: Full-time captain; consistent run scorer across seasons
- 2016: Historic season – 973 runs, 4 centuries, Orange Cap
- 2023-2024: Return to peak form; Orange Cap in 2024
- 2025 IPL champion with RCB; defining career milestone
Virat Kohli Career Achievements
- Only player to represent one franchise across all IPL seasons (Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 2008–2025)
- IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer
- Record 973 runs in the 2016 season, the most in a single IPL edition
- Two-time Orange Cap winner (2016, 2024)
- Lifted his first IPL title in 2025 with RCB
- Retained in the ₹12-15 crore bracket during peak years; never entered an open IPL auction
Major Awards & Recognition
- Arjuna Award (2013)
- Padma Shri (2017)
- Khel Ratna Award (2018)
- Multiple ICC Cricketer of the Year honors
- Named in Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People (2018)
Virat Kohli Overall Stats
Batting & Fielding
| Category | Test (Retired) | ODI (Active) | T20I (Retired) |
| Matches | 123 | 311 | 125 |
| Innings | 210 | 299 | 117 |
| Not Out | 13 | 47 | 31 |
| Runs | 9,230 | 14,797 | 4,188 |
| High Score | 254* | 183 | 122* |
| Average | 46.85 | 58.72 | 48.70 |
| Strike Rate | 55.58 | 93.82 | 137.04 |
| Centuries (100s) | 30 | 54 | 1 |
| Fifties (50s) | 31 | 77 | 38 |
| Fours (4s) | 1,027 | 1,376 | 369 |
| Sixes (6s) | 30 | 168 | 124 |
Bowling
| Category | Test (Retired) | ODI (Active) | T20I (Retired) |
| Matches | 123 | 311 | 125 |
| Innings | 11 | 50 | 13 |
| Balls Bowled | 175 | 662 | 152 |
| Runs Conceded | 84 | 680 | 204 |
| Wickets | 0 | 5 | 4 |
| Best Bowling | 0/0 | 1/13 | 1/13 |
| Average | — | 136.00 | 51.00 |
| Economy Rate | 2.88 | 6.16 | 8.05 |
| Strike Rate | — | 132.40 | 38.00 |
Article Recommendations:
