International Career

International career

Virat Kohli - Representing India

Representing India

ODI World Cup

T20 World Cup

World Test Championship

Champions Trophy

Asia Cup

Debut and First Test (2008–2009)

In 2008, Kohli was included in the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour and the Champions Trophy. Throughout the Sri Lanka series, he had to play the role of a temporary opener. On August 18, 2008, Kohli made his international debut in the first ODI of the tour at the age of 19. In the fourth match of the series, he scored his first ODI half-century, making 54 runs.

In September, he was called up to the India A team for a Test against Australia A. Despite limited opportunities, he managed to impress by scoring 49 runs in the only innings he played. In October, Kohli participated in a four-day tour match against Australia as part of the Indian Board President's XI team. The Australian bowling lineup in that match featured top bowlers like Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, and Jason Krejza. Nevertheless, Kohli scored 105 runs in the first innings, showcasing his ability to perform against top international competition.

In December, Kohli was awarded a Grade D contract by the Indian cricket board as part of the Indian national team's annual contract list, making him entitled to earn ₹1.5 million (₹4.2 million or around 49,000 USD in 2023).

In 2009, Kohli was selected for the Emerging Players Tournament held in Australia. He delivered outstanding performances and ended the tournament as the leading run-scorer, amassing 398 runs in seven matches at an average of 66.33. In the final match against South Africa's emerging players in Brisbane, he scored 104 runs off 102 balls. His brilliant performance helped his team secure a 17-run victory and win the tournament title. Kris Srikkanth, the chairman of India's national selection committee, praised his performance in the tournament. Kohli later stated that the tournament was a "turning point" in his career.

In August, Kohli was part of the Indian team for the tri-nation series in Sri Lanka. In the 2009 Champions Trophy, he was utilized as a middle-order batsman. In December, he was included in the squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, where he scored 27 and 54 runs in the first two matches. Kohli scored his first ODI century during this series, making 107 runs off 114 balls while sharing a 224-run partnership with Gautam Gambhir. As a result, India secured a seven-wicket win and clinched the series 3–1.

Rise in Rankings (2010–2011)

In January 2010, Kohli played in the tri-nation ODI tournament in Bangladesh. During the series, he became only the third Indian player to score two ODI centuries before the age of 22. He was widely praised for his performance and eventually emerged as the leading run-scorer of the series, scoring 275 runs at an average of 91.66 in five innings. His first experience in an international leadership role came between May and June 2010, when he was appointed vice-captain for the tri-nation series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Despite initial struggles, Kohli achieved the milestone of becoming the fastest Indian batsman to reach 1,000 runs in ODI cricket, doing so in just 24 innings. He made his international T20 debut against Zimbabwe in Harare, where he remained unbeaten on 26 runs. During the 2010 Asia Cup, he was included in the squad and given the opportunity to bat at number three.

He faced some form issues but was retained in the ODI squad for the three-match series against Australia in October, where he scored a century and was awarded the Player of the Match. During the home ODI series against New Zealand, Kohli scored another match-winning century, marking his fourth ODI century and second consecutive one. The Indian team completed a 5–0 whitewash against New Zealand, and Kohli’s performance further cemented his position in the ODI team, making him a strong contender for a spot in India’s World Cup squad. In 2010, he was India's highest run-scorer in ODIs, scoring 995 runs at an average of 47.38 in 25 matches, which included three centuries and seven half-centuries.

In January 2011, during the tour of South Africa, Kohli was India's highest run-scorer in the five-match ODI series, scoring 193 runs including two half-centuries. During the series, he rose to second place in the ICC Men's ODI batsman rankings and was selected in India's 15-member squad for the World Cup.

In the first match against Bangladesh, Kohli scored an unbeaten 100 runs and became the first Indian batsman to score a century on World Cup debut. In the final against Sri Lanka in Mumbai, he scored 35 runs and, after India lost both openers within the first seven overs while chasing 275, he built an 83-run partnership with Gautam Gambhir for the third wicket.

In June and July 2011, when India toured the West Indies, Kohli was one of three players included in the Test squad. He made his Test debut in the first match at Kingston. India won the series 1–0, but Kohli struggled against the short ball and managed only 76 runs across five innings.

Later, Kohli scored his sixth ODI century, making 107 runs off 93 balls, and shared a 170-run partnership with Rahul Dravid, who was playing his last ODI match. It was the only century by any player in that series.

In October 2011, Kohli was the leading run-scorer in the five-match home ODI series against England, where India secured a 5–0 victory. He scored a total of 270 runs at an average of 90 across the series. His performances included an unbeaten 112 off 98 balls in Delhi, where he shared an unbroken 209-run stand with Gambhir, and an 86-run innings in Mumbai — both crucial in successful run chases. Due to his ODI success, Kohli was included in the Test squad for the series against the West Indies in November. He was selected for the final match in Mumbai, where he scored two half-centuries. India won the following ODI series 4–1, with Kohli scoring 243 runs at an average of 60.75. He also scored his eighth ODI century — his second at Visakhapatnam — where he made 117 runs off 123 balls during India's chase of 270. This innings further enhanced his reputation as a "chase specialist." Kohli ended 2011 as the leading run-scorer in ODIs, amassing 1381 runs in 34 matches at an average of 47.62, including four centuries and eight half-centuries.

During the December 2011 tour of Australia, Kohli top-scored for India in each innings of the third Test at Perth with scores of 44 and 75. In the fourth and final match at Adelaide, he scored his maiden Test century, making 116 runs in the first innings. Despite India's 0–4 whitewash, Kohli emerged as India's highest run-scorer in the series and was described as "the lone bright spot in an otherwise nightmarish tour.

Resignation from Captaincy and Ups and Downs (2021–2022)

In 2020, England's tour of India began with a four-match Test series. Kohli scored 172 runs, including two half-centuries. During the second Test at Chepauk, he scored 62 runs on a spin-friendly pitch, which Geoffrey Boycott described as a perfect template for batting and scoring on a turning track.

Kohli finished the T20I series as the highest run-scorer from both sides, scoring 231 runs at an average of 115.50, including three half-centuries. India won the series 3–2, and he was named Player of the Series. During the second T20I, Kohli became the first batsman to reach 3,000 runs in T20Is. In the ODI series, Kohli scored 129 runs in three innings, including two half-centuries, as India won the series 2–1. In the second ODI, he became the second batsman after Ricky Ponting to score 10,000 runs while batting at the number three position.

In the final of the 2021 World Test Championship, India lost to New Zealand. Following that, the Indian cricket team toured England for a five-match Test series. Kohli scored a total of 249 runs, including two half-centuries. In the fourth Test, he became the fastest batsman to reach 23,000 international runs in terms of innings. He also completed 10,000 runs in first-class cricket. Kohli became only the second Indian captain after Kapil Dev to win two Tests in a series in England. After the 2021 T20 World Cup, Kohli announced his decision to step down as T20I captain.

In 2022, the Indian cricket team toured South Africa for a three-match Test and three-match ODI series. Kohli managed to score 161 runs in four innings and missed the second Test due to back pain. Following India's 2–1 defeat in the Test series against South Africa, he resigned from Test captaincy.

The West Indies cricket team toured India in 2022 for a three-match ODI and three-match T20I series. Kohli completed 5,000 ODI runs in India. When the Sri Lankan cricket team toured India for a three-match T20I and two-match Test series, Kohli played his 100th Test match, becoming only the 12th Indian cricketer to achieve this milestone.

In the 2022 Asia Cup, he scored a total of 276 runs at an average of 92, and against Afghanistan, he scored his first T20I century — an unbeaten 122 runs off 61 balls. During the 2022 T20 World Cup, Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 runs and led his team to victory. His six off Haris Rauf during the match is considered one of the greatest sixes of all time. Given the magnitude of the game, he rated it as his best innings in the format. Wisden also recognized that particular innings as the best of the tournament. Kohli finished the tournament as the highest run-scorer, averaging 98.66. For his outstanding performance, he was named in the ICC’s Team of the Tournament.

During the 2022–23 Bangladesh tour, Kohli scored his 44th ODI and 72nd international century, surpassing Ricky Ponting's record for the second-highest number of international centuries across formats.

T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy Victories (2023–2025)

In 2023, Kohli scored his 21st ODI century on Indian soil, the most by any player in a single country. It was also his 10th century against Sri Lanka, the most by any player against a single opponent. His performance made him the fifth-highest run-scorer in ODI cricket, surpassing Mahela Jayawardene. During the 2023 Asia Cup, he forged a 233-run unbeaten partnership with KL Rahul, including a century, which became the highest stand in the tournament's history. He also became the fastest player to reach 13,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in 267 innings.

During the 2023 ODI World Cup, he scored over 1,000 runs in a calendar year for a record eighth time in his career, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of seven such instances. In the semifinal, Kohli hit his 50th ODI century, overtaking Tendulkar to become the only player with 50 ODI hundreds. He also became the first player to score 700 runs in a single World Cup edition. Kohli ended as the third-highest run-scorer in ODI history.

He won the Player of the Tournament award for scoring 765 runs — the highest in a single edition of a World Cup — at an average of 95.62, including three centuries. This was his third Player of the Tournament award in World Cups, having previously won in 2014 and 2016.

In 2024, India won the T20 World Cup, and Kohli contributed significantly by scoring 76 runs off 59 balls in the final, earning the Player of the Match award. After the victory, he announced his retirement from T20 internationals, saying it was time for the next generation to take over.

Also in 2024, Kohli scored his 81st international century, which was his 7th Test century in Australia, making him the Indian with the most Test centuries in Australia. In the 2025 Champions Trophy, he scored another century against Pakistan, leading India to a historic six-wicket victory. It was his 51st ODI century, achieved in 287 innings. Kohli also broke Mohammad Azharuddin’s record of 156 catches, becoming the player with the most catches in ODIs. Ricky Ponting praised him, calling his chasing ability extraordinary and highlighting his knack for stepping up in crucial moments for his team.

Later, in the semifinal against Australia, Kohli scored 84 runs off 98 balls, helping India secure a four-wicket win. He surpassed Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the most 50+ scores in ICC ODI tournaments and became India’s highest run-scorer in Champions Trophy history. He also reached 8,000 runs while chasing in ODIs. Due to his outstanding performance throughout the tournament, the ICC named him in the Team of the Tournament.

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