Hello, Cricket fans! If you love following the Cricket and admire world-class, Virat Kohli is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Virat Kohli is one of the most successful modern cricketers, known for his aggressive batting, elite fitness and ultra-consistent run scoring across formats. By 2025 he had retired from Tests and T20Is but continued as a key ODI and IPL batter while also being a major global sports brand.
Virat Kohli’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Virat Kohli |
| Nickname | Chiku, Chikku, King Kohli, Chase Master, Run Machine |
| Date of Birth | November 5, 1988 |
| Age (2026) | 37 years |
| Birthplace | New Delhi, India |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| School | Vishal Bharti Public School (until 9th standard), Saviour Convent School (9th-12th standard), Paschim Vihar, Delhi |
| College | N/A |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Turned Professional | 2008 (IPL debut) |
| Net Worth | $130 Million |
| Annual Salary | ₹21 crore (IPL) + ₹7 crore (BCCI) + Endorsements |
| Spouse | Anushka Sharma |
| Children | Daughter: Vamika, Son: Akaay |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Instagram Handle | @virat.kohli |
| Instagram Followers | 274+ million |
Early Career
Virat Kohli’s cricket journey began at the West Delhi Cricket Academy when he was just nine years old. His father, Prem Kohli, a criminal lawyer, recognized his son’s extraordinary talent and enrolled him at the academy. Growing up in Delhi’s Uttam Nagar, young Virat displayed an unquenchable hunger for runs and an aggressive mindset that would later define his career.
In 2002, he represented Delhi’s Under-15 team and quickly climbed through the age-group ranks. His crowning achievement came in 2008 when he captained India’s Under-19 team to victory in the ICC Under-19 World Cup, defeating South Africa in the final. This performance catapulted him into the national consciousness and earned him immediate selection for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural IPL season.
Professional Career
Virat Kohli made his international ODI debut on August 18, 2008, against Sri Lanka, scoring just 12 runs in his first match. However, this was merely the beginning of an extraordinary journey. After early struggles, he smashed his first ODI half-century in his fourth game and went on to score his maiden century against Sri Lanka in December 2009.
His Test debut came on June 20, 2011, against the West Indies, and his first Test century arrived during Australia’s tour in January 2012. What followed was an unprecedented run of consistency and dominance. Between 2012 and 2019, Kohli became the fastest player to accumulate 5,000, 8,000, 10,000, and 12,000 ODI runs.
He breached records with extraordinary frequency, whether in the number of centuries, fastest centuries, or average scores. His aggressive intent combined with technical excellence saw him evolve from a young talent into the world’s premier batter across all formats. He captained India across all three formats from 2014 to 2021, leading the team in 95 Tests, 95 ODIs, and 50 T20Is.
Wife
Virat Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma on December 11, 2017, in a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy. Anushka, known for her acting prowess and production ventures, has been a strong support system throughout Kohli’s career. The couple has kept their children away from the public eye, demonstrating their commitment to privacy. They have two children: their daughter Vamika, born on January 11, 2021, and their son Akaay, born on February 15, 2024. In recent years, the couple has relocated to London to provide their children with a normal, undisturbed upbringing away from constant media scrutiny.
Virat has often spoken about how fatherhood has changed his perspective on life, making him appreciate the smaller moments beyond cricket. Anushka and Virat are also partners in their philanthropic venture called “SEVVA,” launched in 2023, which focuses on social and environmental causes.
Virat Kohli’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Virat Kohli’s estimated net worth stands at approximately $130 million, equivalent to ₹1,090 crore. This makes him one of India’s wealthiest athletes and the highest-earning cricketer globally. His wealth is built on multiple income streams that extend far beyond cricket. His primary earnings come from his BCCI central contract as a Grade A+ player, which provides ₹7 crore annually. The IPL contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) contributes ₹21 crore annually. However, the real money multiplier comes from brand endorsements, where Kohli earns over ₹200 crore annually through partnerships with 30+ major brands. His social media presence, particularly on Instagram with 274+ million followers, generates substantial income through sponsored posts, ranging from ₹7.5 to ₹10 crore per post. Additionally, Kohli has made significant investments in businesses including One8 (his fitness and lifestyle brand), WROGN (fashion company), and the One8 Commune restaurant chain. These business ventures have contributed substantially to his wealth accumulation over the years.
BCCI Contract and IPL Details
Virat Kohli holds a Grade A+ central contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which was officially disclosed in February 2024. Under this contract, he receives an annual salary of ₹7 crore ($845,000 approximately). This category represents the highest tier of BCCI contracts for active cricketers. For IPL 2026, Kohli was retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for ₹21 crore at the IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi in December 2025. RCB spent ₹124.75 crore in total at the auction while retaining Kohli as their flagship player and one of the franchise’s most marketable faces His IPL contract carries a payment of ₹21 crore for the 2026 season.
Additionally, Kohli earns performance-based incentives through match appearances: ₹15 lakh per Test match, ₹6 lakh per ODI, and ₹3 lakh per T20I match. His overall engagement with RCB has been integral to the franchise’s identity, and his continuation signals the team’s commitment to defending their maiden IPL title won in 2025.
Career Earnings
| Income Source | Annual Amount (2024-2025) |
| BCCI Central Contract | ₹7 crore |
| Test Match Fee | ₹15 lakh per match |
| ODI Match Fee | ₹6 lakh per match |
| T20I Match Fee | ₹3 lakh per match |
| IPL Salary (RCB) | ₹21 crore per season |
| Brand Endorsements | ₹200+ crore annually |
| Per Social Media Post | ₹7.5 – ₹10 crore |
| Business Ventures | ₹150+ crore (estimated annual) |
| Other Income Sources | ₹50+ crore |
| Total Annual Earnings (Approx.) | ₹440+ crore |
Brand Endorsements
- Puma – Major sporting goods partnership (₹110 crore, 8-year deal from 2017)
- Audi India – Premium automobile brand ambassador since 2015
- MRF Tyres – ₹12.5 crore annually for tire endorsement
- HSBC – Global banking and financial services partnership
- Myntra – Fashion and lifestyle platform (with Anushka Sharma)
- Vivo – Smartphone manufacturer
- Blue Star – Home appliance and air-conditioning solutions
- Philips – Male grooming products
- Luxor – Premium writing instruments
- Duroflex – Mattress and sleep solutions
- Essilor – Eyewear and optical lenses
- Digit Insurance – Digital insurance solutions
- American Tourister – Luggage and travel gear
- Wellman – Health supplements
- Volini – Pain relief products
- Boost – Energy drink
- Noise – Smartwatch manufacturer
- Toothsi – Dental care alignment
- Too Yumm – Nutrition bar brand
- Great Learning – Online education platform
- Himalaya – Personal care products
- Manyavar – Ethnic wear fashion
- Wrogn – Fashion brand (founded by Kohli)
- One8 Commune – Restaurant and lifestyle chain (founded by Kohli)
- Asian Paints – Paint and home decor
- Amaze – Inverter and battery solutions
- Batwrap – Sports equipment
- Livspace – Interior design services
- Rage Coffee – Coffee brand
- Mobile Premier League – Gaming platform
- Star Sports – Sports broadcasting
Career Records
| Record Category | Achievement | Details |
| ODI Centuries | 53 (Most in history) | Surpassed Sachin Tendulkar in November 2023 |
| Test Centuries | 30 | Second-highest for an Indian captain |
| International Centuries | 84 total | 30 Test, 53 ODI, 1 T20I |
| IPL Centuries | 8 | Highest run-scorer in IPL history |
| Fastest to 14,000 ODI Runs | 287 innings | Record achieved in 2025 Champions Trophy |
| Test Double Hundreds | 7 | Most by any Indian |
| Highest ODI Score | 183 | Against Pakistan, Asia Cup 2012 |
| Highest Test Score | 254 | Against West Indies |
| Highest IPL Score | 113* | Multiple times |
| ODI Strike Rate | 93.51 | Among fastest among top run-scorers |
| Test Average | 46.85 | Across 123 Tests |
| ODI Average | 58.2 | Across 307 ODIs |
| IPL Average | 39.54 | Across 267 matches |
FAQs
1. What is Virat Kohli’s real name, and where does the name “Chiku” come from?
His full name is Virat Kohli. “Chiku” is a childhood nickname given to him by his family and close friends. It’s a term of endearment commonly used in Hindi-speaking households, similar to diminutive forms in English. His family and inner circle continue to call him Chiku, while the world knows him as Virat or “King Kohli.”
2. How many children does Virat Kohli have, and what are their names?
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have two children. Their eldest is a daughter named Vamika, born on January 11, 2021, and their second child is a son named Akaay, born on February 15, 2024. The couple has been protective of their children’s privacy and rarely shares their photos publicly.
3. What is Virat Kohli’s exact net worth in 2026, and how does he make his money?
As of 2026, Virat Kohli’s net worth is estimated at approximately $130 million (₹1,090 crore). His income comes from multiple sources: BCCI central contract (₹7 crore annually), IPL salary with RCB (₹21 crore), brand endorsements (₹200+ crore annually), social media posts (₹7.5-10 crore per post), and business investments including One8 and WROGN (₹150+ crore annually from business ventures).
4. Did Virat Kohli go to college, and what is his educational background?
Virat Kohli did not attend college. He completed his schooling at Vishal Bharti Public School until 9th standard, then switched to Saviour Convent School in Paschim Vihar, Delhi, where he completed 12th standard. After finishing school, he decided to pursue cricket full-time, dedicating himself entirely to professional cricket rather than pursuing higher education. His U-19 World Cup victory in 2008 led to his IPL debut and subsequent international selection.
5. How many international centuries has Virat Kohli scored, and in which format?
Virat Kohli has scored 84 international centuries across all formats: 53 in ODIs (the most in history), 30 in Tests, and 1 in T20Is. He surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI century record in November 2023 with his 50th ODI century and continues to add to this tally. In IPL cricket specifically, he has 8 centuries.
6. What are Virat Kohli’s retirement plans, and is he still playing cricket?
Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, 2025, ending a 15-year Test career. He had previously retired from T20I cricket in September 2024 after India’s T20 World Cup victory. However, he remains actively involved in ODI cricket and the IPL. As of 2026, he continues to play for India in ODI formats and for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.
7. What brands does Virat Kohli endorse, and how much does he earn from endorsements?
Virat Kohli endorses over 30 major brands including Puma, Audi, MRF Tyres, HSBC, Myntra, Vivo, Blue Star, Philips, and many others. He earns over ₹200 crore annually from brand endorsements, making him the most prolific brand ambassador in Indian sports. Additionally, he earns ₹7.5 to ₹10 crore per Instagram post, reflecting his massive digital influence with 274+ million followers.
8. What is Virat Kohli’s height, and does his fitness regimen contribute to his performance?
Virat Kohli stands at 5’9″ (175 cm or 1.71 m) tall. He is famously known for his exceptional fitness and disciplined approach to physical conditioning. Kohli follows a strict vegetarian diet and maintains an intense fitness regime that has been crucial to his longevity and consistency. His commitment to fitness is so well-known that he co-founded One8, a lifestyle and fitness brand, to promote healthy living.
9. How many wickets has Virat Kohli taken as a bowler, and why doesn’t he bowl much?
Virat Kohli has taken a total of 4 wickets across all international formats in his career—he has bowled only occasionally and is not considered a bowler. In Test cricket, he has bowled just 11 innings across his career and in ODIs, he has bowled 50 innings. His primary contribution to the team is as a batter, and he bowls only when the team’s bowling resources are stretched or in emergency situations.
10. What business ventures does Virat Kohli own, and what is his involvement in entrepreneurship?
Beyond cricket, Virat Kohli owns several successful business ventures. He co-founded and is associated with One8, a sportswear and lifestyle brand that includes the One8 Commune, a successful restaurant chain known for its premium dining experience. He also co-founded WROGN, a fashion and apparel company. Additionally, in 2023, he launched “SEVVA” with his wife Anushka Sharma, a philanthropic venture focused on social and environmental causes. These business ventures contribute significantly to his annual income and showcase his entrepreneurial acumen beyond cricket.