Virat Kohli Net Worth and Salary

Virat Kohli is one of the most successful cricketers in the world, with an estimated net worth of around $70 million. He represents Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and has also played domestic cricket for Delhi. From 2013 to 2022, Kohli served as captain of the Indian national team and led the side to 40 wins in 68 matches across formats.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of his generation, Kohli has received several prestigious awards, including the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy and India’s highest sporting honor, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.

Highest-Paid Athlete Status

At different points in his career, Kohli has ranked among the highest-paid athletes globally. For example, between June 2017 and June 2018, he earned approximately $24 million, with nearly $20 million coming from brand endorsements alone. His strong marketability and global popularity have made him a favorite choice for major brands.

Early Life

Virat Kohli was born on November 5, 1988, in New Delhi, India, into a Punjabi Hindu family. His parents, Prem and Saroj Kohli, supported his passion for cricket from an early age. He grew up in Uttam Nagar alongside his older siblings, Bhavna and Vikash.

Kohli studied at Vishal Bharti Public School and later joined the West Delhi Cricket Academy, where his professional journey began to take shape. A major turning point in his life came in 2006 when his father passed away after suffering a stroke, an event that deeply impacted him but also strengthened his determination to succeed.

Early Career Journey

Kohli’s competitive cricket career started in 2002 when he joined the Delhi Under-15 team. He quickly rose through the ranks and became captain the following season. Later, he played for Delhi Under-17 in the Vijay Merchant Trophy, helping his team secure the 2004–05 title.

In 2006, he made both his List A and first-class debuts for Delhi. Around the same time, he represented India Under-19 on a tour of England, where the team won both series. His biggest early achievement came in 2008 when he captained India to victory in the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

International Career Highlights

Kohli made his international debut in 2008 during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in an ODI series that India won 3–2. Over the next few years, he established himself as a key player with consistent performances.

One of his most memorable milestones came in 2011 when he was part of India’s World Cup-winning squad. He played every match and scored a century during the tournament, contributing to India’s first World Cup victory since 1983.

By 2013, Kohli had become one of the team’s leaders and eventually took over as captain across formats. In 2017, he achieved a remarkable feat by scoring 2,818 international runs in a single calendar year, one of the highest totals ever recorded.

Under his leadership, India achieved notable series victories in South Africa, England, and Australia. He later captained India in major tournaments including the 2019 Cricket World Cup, the ICC World Test Championship Final, and the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup before stepping down from captaincy roles between 2021 and 2022.

IPL Career with Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore has been Kohli’s franchise team throughout his IPL career. He captained the side for several seasons and became one of the league’s highest run-scorers.

The 2016 IPL season was particularly historic for him, as he scored 973 runs, the most by any player in a single season. In 2021, he also became the first cricketer to cross 6,000 runs in IPL history.

Personal Life and Business Ventures

Off the field, Kohli married Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma in 2017. The couple welcomed their daughter, Vamika, in 2021.

Kohli is also involved in philanthropy through the Virat Kohli Foundation, which supports underprivileged children. Beyond cricket, he has invested in several sports franchises, including FC Goa in football, UAE Royals in tennis, and Bengaluru Yodhas in wrestling.