There are very few sporting figures in India whose presence alone can alter the mood of a stadium, a broadcast rating, or even a domestic tournament schedule. Virat Kohli is one of them. For over a decade,
Kohli has existed in that rare space where performance, personality and public obsession intersect. He is dissected ball by ball, photographed corner by corner, and followed home—sometimes quite literally—by fans eager to glimpse how cricket’s most intense modern icon lives when the whites are folded away. So when news broke that Kohli would turn out for Delhi in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26 season, the story was never just about domestic cricket. It became a conversation about discipline, pay structures, humility, and the curious contrast between India’s richest cricketer and the modest cheques he earns on the domestic circuit. Add to that his carefully designed homes across Mumbai, Gurgaon, Alibaug and Delhi—and the Kohli story suddenly stretches far beyond the boundary rope.
Why Is Virat Kohli Playing the Vijay Hazare Trophy?
Kohli’s participation is not a nostalgic return, nor a symbolic gesture. It follows a firm directive from the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which mandates that centrally contracted players must feature in at least two rounds of domestic cricket when not on international duty. The aim is simple: keep elite players connected to the domestic ecosystem that shaped them. For the 2025–26 season, this rule has transformed the Vijay Hazare Trophy into a genuinely star-studded affair. Alongside Kohli, names such as Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant have confirmed availability, instantly lifting the profile of a tournament once considered routine viewing outside die-hard cricket circles. Kohli is expected to feature in Delhi’s Group D fixtures in Bengaluru, beginning with the opener against Andhra on December 24, followed by matches against Gujarat on December 26 and Railways on January 6.
Revealed: How Much Will Virat Kohli Earn in Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26?
The answer surprises many—and perhaps that is precisely the point. Unlike international cricket, domestic match fees are not influenced by star power, brand value or social media reach. They are strictly governed by experience brackets based on the number of List A matches played. Kohli, with over 340 List A appearances, falls into the highest bracket and earns ₹60,000 per match. With three confirmed fixtures, his total earnings from this Vijay Hazare Trophy stint stand at ₹1.8 lakh. It is a modest figure by any celebrity standard, let alone for a man whose annual income comfortably crosses three digits in crore terms. Yet within the domestic structure, it represents the ceiling—proof that even the biggest names operate under the same framework as their peers.
Domestic Cricket vs Global Stardom: The Pay Gap Explained
Kohli’s Vijay Hazare earnings are a footnote compared to his broader financial landscape. He holds a top-tier A+ central contract with the BCCI, which carries an annual retainer of ₹7 crore, in addition to match fees for Tests, ODIs and T20Is. His Indian Premier League salary alone touches ₹21 crore per season. What makes his domestic appearance compelling, however, is not the money—but the message. India’s most marketable athlete turning up for ₹60,000 a match reinforces the idea that domestic cricket remains the game’s backbone, not a ceremonial rung on the ladder.
From Meera Bagh to Worli: The Homes That Mark Kohli’s Journey
All his fans love the glimpses he shares online—coffee mugs by the window, yoga mats in sunlit corners, quiet Diwali evenings away from noise. And at the centre of these moments is the life he shares with Anushka Sharma, shaped as much by restraint as by luxury.
The Worli Apartment, Mumbai
Located on the 35th floor of Omkar 1973, Kohli and Anushka’s sea-facing Worli home spans over 7,000 square feet. Four bedrooms, a terrace garden, a private gym and sweeping city views define the space. The interiors lean heavily towards minimalism—white walls, pale wood, clean lines, and natural light doing most of the work.
The Juhu Sea-View Apartment
In 2022, the couple rented a 1,650-square-foot apartment in Juhu’s High Tide building for ₹2.76 lakh per month, paying a ₹7.5 lakh deposit. According to property data accessed by Zapkey.com, the apartment is owned by Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, a member of Baroda’s royal family. The space, with its uninterrupted sea view, is reportedly used as an office rather than a residence.
The Gurgaon Bungalow
In DLF Phase 1, Gurugram, Kohli owns a sprawling bungalow valued at over ₹80 crore. This residence, currently occupied by his parents, is architectural and geometric, with marble floors, wood-heavy staircases and understated luxury. It is where Kohli often stays during Delhi-NCR visits.
The Alibaug Villa
Purchased in 2022 for approximately ₹19 crore, Kohli’s Alibaug holiday home is designed by SAOTA, the globally renowned architectural firm. Set amid greenery, the property features a temperature-controlled pool, a jacuzzi, open courtyards and seamless indoor-outdoor living—luxury without ostentation.
The Meera Bagh Home, Delhi
Kohli’s childhood home in Paschim Vihar’s Meera Bagh remains a quiet landmark. Locals still refer to the area fondly as “Virat Vihar.” Though modest by today’s standards, the house is where his cricketing discipline was forged—and where neighbours still recount the boy who left early for practice and returned late with dusty shoes and big dreams.
Beyond Cricket: Businesses, Brands and Quiet Investments
Kohli’s net worth is estimated at ₹1,050 crore, built through cricket, endorsements and shrewd investments. His business interests span fashion (Wrogn), hospitality (One8 Commune), fitness, insurance, FMCG startups and sports franchises such as FC Goa. He also owns multiple commercial properties in Gurugram, reportedly earning close to ₹9 lakh per month in rental income—proof that his off-field decisions are as methodical as his cover drive.
The Cars, The Watches, and the Taste for Precision
Kohli’s garage houses Bentleys, Audis and Range Rovers, while his wrist often features Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille timepieces. Yet even here, excess never feels loud. Everything—from cars to chronographs—appears chosen for engineering, not flash.
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