As Virat Kohli celebrates his 38th birthday, his career stands as one of the finest examples of consistency and longevity in modern cricket. From dominating ODI chases to producing memorable performances
in Test cricket and delivering on the biggest T20I occasions, the Indian batter has built a record that few players can match.
Kohli made his international debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka in August 2008. He was part of India’s Under-19 World Cup-winning team earlier that year, but his journey to becoming one of the leading batters in international cricket took time. Over the next few years, he established himself across formats and became one of India’s most dependable match-winners.
A record-breaking career in ODIs
ODI cricket has been Kohli’s strongest format without any doubt. He has scored more than 15,000 runs in 318 matches at an average close to 59, with 55 centuries and 80 half-centuries. His 55 ODI hundreds are the most by any batter, taking him past Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record of 49.
His ability to handle run chases has been one of the defining features of his career. Kohli has repeatedly delivered when India have needed him to control an innings, build partnerships and take the team across the finishing line.
80th ODI Fifty in just 35 balls! King Kohli😮💨
7 Fours & 1 Six Pure Dominance💥
https://t.co/uTlwxPIbnw— 🦖 (@chirudrlg) November 4, 2026
The 2023 ODI World Cup was another major chapter in his career. Kohli finished the tournament with 765 runs in 11 innings at an average of 95.62, including three centuries and six half-centuries. He broke Tendulkar’s record for the most hundreds in men’s ODIs when he scored his 50th against New Zealand in the semi-final at Mumbai.
He was also part of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team and played a key role in the 2013 Champions Trophy triumph. India lifted the Champions Trophy again in 2025, adding another major title to his international career.
Test Cricket and T20I Success
Kohli’s achievements in Test cricket deserve equal praise. He finished his career in the longest format with 9,230 runs from 123 matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and seven double hundreds. His highest score was an unbeaten 254 against South Africa in Pune in 2019.
His contribution as captain was particularly significant. Kohli led India in 68 Tests, winning 40 of them, making him the country’s most successful Test captain by victories. Under his leadership, India developed a formidable pace attack and became a consistent force overseas. The biggest moment was the 2018-19 tour of Australia, when India secured their first-ever Test series victory there.
5️⃣6️⃣6️⃣ Intl. Matches & Counting 🫡
2️⃣8️⃣6️⃣0️⃣1️⃣ Intl. Runs & Counting 👏
8️⃣6️⃣ Intl. Centuries & Counting 👑Winner of ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2011, ICC Champions Trophy 2013 & 2025, and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 🏆
Happy Birthday to one of the finest to ever grace the game, Virat Kohli 🎂🥳
#TeamIndia | @imVkohli
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 5, 2026
In T20 internationals, Kohli finished with 4,188 runs in 125 matches at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate above 137. He scored one century and 38 half-centuries. His performances in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups earned him the Player of the Tournament award on both occasions.
The 2024 T20 World Cup provided a fitting end to his international career in the shortest format. After a difficult tournament with the bat, Kohli produced 76 off 59 balls in the final against South Africa. He was named Player of the Match as India won the trophy, and he announced his T20I retirement shortly afterwards.
Kohli’s international career has included 86 centuries across the three formats, placing him second only to Tendulkar’s 100. He has also won major ICC trophies, broken long-standing records and played defining roles in some of India’s most memorable victories.
