Virat Kohli — King Kohli, the Run Machine, the Chase Master — is the face of modern Indian cricket and one of the greatest batters the game has ever seen. From a chubby nine-year-old turning up for a Delhi summer camp, to holding the world record for ODI centuries, to captaining India across formats and now building a business empire beyond the boundary — his journey is the stuff of legend.
Here is the complete biography: his age, family, career, net worth, and what’s next in 2026.
Virat Kohli Quick Facts
| Full Name | Virat Kohli |
| Known As | King Kohli, Run Machine, Chiku, Chase Master |
| Born | 5 November 1988, Delhi, India |
| Age | 37 years (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Cricketer (Right-hand top-order batter) |
| International Debut | ODI — 18 August 2008 vs Sri Lanka |
| Teams | India, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (IPL) |
| Father | Late Prem Kohli |
| Mother | Saroj Kohli |
| Siblings | Vikas Kohli (brother), Bhawna Kohli (sister) |
| Wife | Anushka Sharma (married 11 December 2017, Italy) |
| Children | Vamika (daughter), Akaay (son) |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Education | 12th grade; West Delhi Cricket Academy under coach Rajkumar Sharma |
| Businesses | One8, Wrogn, FC Goa, Agilitas Sports equity, one8world (co-founder) |
| Estimated Net Worth | Unverified media estimates range widely (see below) |
Early Life and the Delhi Grit
Born on 5 November 1988 in Delhi, Virat Kohli grew up in Uttam Nagar, Delhi, in a middle-class family. His father, Prem Kohli, was a criminal lawyer, and his mother, Saroj Kohli, a homemaker. At the age of nine, his father took him to a cricket camp in West Delhi, where coach Rajkumar Sharma spotted something special in the “pretty chubby, pretty naughty sort of youngster” who wouldn’t stop hitting boundaries.
Kohli’s defining moment came at just 18. In December 2006, his father passed away overnight — and the next morning, Virat walked out to bat for Delhi in a Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka and scored 90 runs. That innings, played through grief, announced to the cricket world that this boy had the heart of a champion.
He studied at Vishal Bharti Public School and Saviour Convent Senior Secondary School, Paschim Vihar, Delhi, but cricket always came first. He never attended college, choosing instead to chase the dream his father had nurtured.
Career: The Rise of King Kohli
The U-19 World Cup Triumph (2008)
Kohli’s big break came as captain of the India Under-19 team that won the 2008 World Cup in Malaysia. The tournament made him a household name among cricket followers, and within months he made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka at Dambulla on 18 August 2008.
Master of the Chase
What followed was one of the greatest batting careers in cricket history. Kohli became the undisputed master of ODI chases, and during the 2023 ODI World Cup he went past Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI centuries — finishing with 54 ODI centuries, a world record. His Test career was equally distinguished: 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85 with 30 centuries in 123 Tests before he retired from the format in May 2025. Across formats, he finished with 85 international centuries.
Captaincy: India’s Most Successful
Kohli took over India’s Test captaincy in 2014 and led across formats through 2022. As captain, he led India in 213 matches across all formats, winning 135 — including India’s first-ever Test series win in Australia and a long reign as the world’s No. 1 Test team. His win percentage made him India’s most successful Test captain.
IPL: The RCB Journey
Kohli has been with Royal Challengers Bengaluru since the IPL’s first season in 2008 — 18 seasons with a single franchise, a loyalty rare in modern sport. He holds the all-time IPL run record (8,661 runs) and the single-season record of 973 runs in 2016. After years of near misses, the fairy tale finally landed: RCB won their maiden IPL title in 2025, and followed it up with a back-to-back championship in 2026, beating Gujarat Titans in the final in Ahmedabad — with Kohli anchoring the chase.
Business Empire: Beyond the Boundary
Like all great modern athletes, Kohli’s ambitions extend far beyond the pitch:
- One8 — his own lifestyle brand, with the One8 sneakers generating massive retail value after launch
- one8world — his 2026 venture (co-founder) aiming to build an end-to-end sports ecosystem from India, spanning manufacturing, consumer brands, and distribution
- Agilitas Sports — Kohli invested ₹40 crore for a 1.94% stake, famously rejecting a ₹300-crore contract extension from Puma to own equity instead of just endorsing
- Wrogn fashion brand, co-ownership of FC Goa football club, and investments in fitness and tech startups
- Brand endorsements reportedly worth ₹200+ crore annually from 30+ brands, with 271 million Instagram followers
In October 2026, Kohli made his LinkedIn debut, posting about his vision to “build an end-to-end sports platform from India” — a post that drew a welcome comment from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella himself.
Family
Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma on 11 December 2017 in Tuscany, Italy, in one of the most talked-about weddings of the decade. The couple has two children: daughter Vamika and son Akaay, both kept largely away from the public eye. His older brother Vikas and sister Bhawna remain close to the family, and his late father’s influence is something Kohli speaks about often — he even wore his father’s blessings as a tattoo.
Virat Kohli Net Worth (2026)
Kohli’s net worth has never been officially disclosed, and published estimates vary widely — from roughly ₹1,040 crore to ₹1,200 crore (about $125–135 million) depending on the source. These are unverified media estimates, not audited figures, so treat every number you see online with caution.
What is certain: the money flows from his RCB salary (₹21 crore for the 2026 season), BCCI central contract, enormous endorsement portfolio, his business equity, and real estate holdings in Gurgaon, Worli (Mumbai), and Alibaug reportedly worth over ₹215 crore.
What’s Next: 2026 and Beyond
Kohli continues to play ODI cricket for India and the IPL for RCB, having retired from Tests (May 2025) and T20Is (June 2024, after the T20 World Cup win). India fans still dream of seeing him lift an ODI World Cup. Off the field, watch one8world — his 2026 business pivot could be the second act that outlasts the first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Virat Kohli’s age in 2026?
He was born on 5 November 1988 — 37 years old.
What is Virat Kohli’s full name?
Virat Kohli (nicknamed Chiku by his teammates).
Who is Virat Kohli’s wife?
Anushka Sharma — married since 11 December 2017.
How many children does Virat Kohli have?
Two: daughter Vamika and son Akaay.
What is Virat Kohli’s net worth?
No official figure exists. Unverified media estimates range from about ₹1,040 crore to ₹1,200 crore.
How many centuries has Virat Kohli scored?
85 international centuries — 54 in ODIs (a world record), 30 in Tests, and 1 in T20Is.
Is Virat Kohli retired?
He retired from T20Is (2024) and Tests (2025) but still plays ODI cricket and the IPL.
What is Virat Kohli doing in 2026?
Playing ODIs and the IPL for RCB (back-to-back IPL champions), plus building his one8world sports business after his LinkedIn debut.
Final Thoughts
From playing 90 runs the morning after losing his father to becoming the highest ODI century-maker of all time, Virat Kohli’s story is about refusal — refusal to accept limits, refusal to stay down. And with one8world, he’s proving the chase doesn’t end at the boundary.
Also read: Ranveer Singh: Age, Biography, Family, Career, Net Worth & More (2026) and Deepika Padukone: Age, Biography, Family, Career, Net Worth & More (2026)
Source: Virat Kohli — Wikipedia
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