Virat Kohli Turns 37: A Look Back at His Life Journey and Remarkable Achievements. Virat Kohli was born on November 5, 1988, in West Delhi, and he came from humble beginnings to rise as one of the best modern-day cricketers. His father, Prem Kohli, saw his son’s enthusiasm early on, and when he was only nine, he enrolled him at West Delhi Cricket Academy. From then on, Kohli lived a life encircled by cricket, discipline, and a tireless need for achievement. His childhood coaches recalled him as an intensely aggressive boy who hated to lose — evidence of the aggression that would further define his international career.
Beginning as a U-19 Champion to International Fame
Kohli started to break through in 2008 when he captained India’s U-19 World Cup Champion team. Kohli’s outlandish and aggressive leadership style and fearless batting made the national scene in that tournament, and his effort earned him a call-up to play an ODI that same year. However, it was the ICC World Cup in 2011 that solidified Kohli’s place in Indian cricket. As India rose to glory after 28 years, Kohli became the youngest Indian player to score a century on a World Cup debut. It didn’t take long for the cricketing world to dub him the “Chase Master” for handling high-pressure situations.
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Dominance Across Formats
Between 2012 and 2019, Kohli was in peak form. His breathtaking 183 versus Pakistan in the 2012 Asia Cup was undoubtedly one of his greatest innings. In tests, his two centuries in Adelaide in 2014, in his debut match as captain, marked a new approach: aggressive, fit and fearless. By 2025, he has scored almost 14,000 runs in ODIs and 8,900 in Tests (4,100 in T20Is) and is among the all-time greats in cricket. Moreover, his consistency while chasing – averaging more than 65 in successful ODIs – remains unparalleled.
Captaincy and Indian Cricket’s Mindset Change
Kohli became a full-time captain in 2017 and led India to an unprecedented period of consistency and fitness. India won its first Test series in Australia (2018-19) and became a dominant team across formats. In addition to the stats, Kohli changed the mindset of Indian cricket from a play-it-safe approach to a more aggressive and fitness-focused approach. His attitude towards fitness encouraged other players in the franchise to be more athletic and disciplined as well.
On his 35th birthday, Kohli turned up at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata and lit up the venue with a knock of 101 not out off 121 balls vs South Africa national cricket team in the 2023 ICC World Cup.
IPL victory and recent events
Having played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from the start of IPL’s history, Kohli showed an unwavering commitment to his franchise. In 2025, he finally lifted the IPL trophy after years of waiting. That same year, he announced his retirement from Test cricket, drawing the curtains on a prestigious 14-year career with red ball cricket. He still had the hunger to compete in ODIs and shortly after retired from T20I after winning the World Cup in 2024.
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Legacy beyond numbers
Kohli’s influence transcended numbers and centuries. He changed the mindset of Indian cricket – from hopeful contenders to aggressive competitors. As Kohli turns 37, his journey is a legacy of passion, perseverance and excellence. Virat Kohli did not just play cricket – he changed the way India played it, forever.