Indian cricket star Virat Kohli is celebrating his 36th birthday! Here’s a little wish list for the batting maestro as he completes another year around the sun.
Today, we celebrate the 36th birthday of Indian cricket legend, Virat Kohli! Known for his passion, skill, and relentless pursuit of excellence, Kohli has become a true icon in the world of cricket. Fans around the globe are showering him with wishes, celebrating not just his achievements on the field but also the inspiration he brings to millions.
Virat continued success, strength, and an incredible year ahead. May he keep breaking records, inspiring young cricketers, and bringing joy to his fans with his amazing performances. Happy Birthday, King Kohli!
Virat Kohli celebrates his 36th birthday today, and though he might have hoped to celebrate with a Test win over New Zealand, it’s a time to reflect on his remarkable journey in cricket. Just a year ago, Kohli marked his 35th birthday with a century in the ODI World Cup. This year, he faces new challenges, but he remains an iconic figure in Indian cricket, celebrated for leading India to unforgettable victories and creating countless cherished moments for fans.
Kohli’s next big challenge is the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, beginning on Friday, November 22, 2024. As Kohli and Team India prepare for this crucial series, it’s a great time to look back at his incredible records and contributions that have cemented his legendary status. Happy Birthday to the champion who continues to inspire both on and off the field!
On November 5, 2023, Virat Kohli delighted Indian cricket fans by scoring his 49th ODI century against South Africa at Eden Gardens. Just ten days later, during the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand at Wankhede Stadium, he achieved his 50th ODI century, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record. Kohli described this milestone as "the stuff of dreams," especially with Tendulkar and his wife, Anushka Sharma, present to witness the moment. As of November 5, 2024, this remains his most recent century, marking a significant highlight in his illustrious career.
This year, there hasn't been a birthday century or a festive Diwali "dhamaka" from Virat Kohli, who has thrilled fans with such moments in recent years. Now at 36, Kohli's role and expectations in cricket are shifting. At 35, he retired from T20Is—a format where he has often been India’s hero. He ended his T20 career on a high, though, with India winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, where he was named Player of the Match after a powerful 76-run innings in the final. Reflecting on his journey, Kohli admitted that, as a 22-year-old, he didn’t appreciate the true value of a World Cup win as much as he does now at 35.
Virat Kohli has achieved an incredible milestone by winning every major ICC trophy: the U-19 World Cup in 2008, the ODI World Cup in 2011, the Champions Trophy in 2013, and most recently, the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024. His children, Vamika and Akaay, have every reason to be proud of their father’s remarkable legacy in cricket.
Turning 36 brings new challenges and moments for reflection. If we look back ten years, the 25-year-old and 35-year-old Virat Kohli found themselves in somewhat similar positions, especially in Test cricket. Back then, Kohli was struggling after a tough series in England, scoring just 34 runs across 10 innings. But by the end of 2014, he made an incredible comeback, leading India’s scoring charts in the Australia Test series and even taking over as Test captain.
Comparing his younger self to the experienced 36-year-old now may not be perfect, but fans are hoping for that same comeback spirit. They’re looking for the hunger to score runs, the resilience to fight, and the determination to not give in to the bowler—qualities that defined Kohli at his best.
ICC Awards
Total ICC Awards: 10
ODI Player of the Year: 4 times
Cricketer of the Year: 2 times
Test Player of the Year: 1 time
Cricketer of the Decade (2011–2020): Recognized for his outstanding performances over the decade.
National Awards
Arjuna Award: Received in 2013 for outstanding achievements in sports.
Padma Shri: Awarded in 2017, one of India's highest civilian honors.
Khel Ratna Award: Received in 2018, India's highest sporting honor.
Player of the Series Awards
Total Player of the Series Awards: 21 across all formats, the most by any player.
Player of the Match Awards
Total Player of the Match Awards: 67, making him the second-most awarded player in this category.
Records in Run-Chases
Most Runs in Successful Run-Chases: Kohli holds the record for the most runs scored in successful chases across all formats of cricket.
Centuries Against One Team
Most Centuries Against a Single Team: 10 centuries against Sri Lanka, the highest by any batsman against one team.
T20I Records
Most Half-Centuries in T20Is: Kohli has scored 39 T20I half-centuries, the most by any player.
Indian Premier League (IPL) Achievements
Leading Run-Scorer: Kohli is the all-time leading run-scorer in IPL history.
ICC Trophies
All ICC Trophies: Kohli has won every major ICC trophy, including the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, and the Champions Trophy.
Wisden Recognition
Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World: Honored for three consecutive years from 2016 to 2018.
Virat Kohli's achievements underscore his status as one of cricket's all-time greats, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
