Virat Kohli's illustrious cricket career can be beautifully summarized into these five defining chapters:
1. The Genesis & U-19 Glory (2008)
The world first noticed the aggressive youngster from Delhi when he led India to victory in the 2008 U-19 World Cup. This triumph immediately earned him a contract with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), sparking a lifelong association with the franchise.
2. Rising Through the Ranks (2010–2013)
Kohli transitioned from a talented prospect to a mainstay in the Indian middle order. A pivotal moment in this chapter was becoming a World Cup winner in 2011, followed by his iconic 133* against Sri Lanka in Hobart (2012), which signaled the arrival of a master chaser.
3. The Era of 'King Kohli' & Captaincy (2014–2019)
Taking over the Test captaincy in Australia (2014), Kohli redefined India's cricket culture with a focus on fitness and fast bowling. During this period, he became a "run machine," scoring double centuries for fun and leading India to their first-ever Test series win in Australia (2018-19).
4. The Lean Patch & Turmoil (2020–2022)
Every great athlete faces a slump, and Kohli's lasted nearly three years without an international century. This era was marked by his departure from captaincy across all formats and intense public scrutiny regarding his place in the team.
5. The Ultimate Redemption (2023–2024)
The comeback began with a historic century against Afghanistan in the 2022 Asia Cup and his "shot of the century" against Pakistan at the MCG. The pinnacle of this resurgence was winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, after which he retired from the format at the very top or his game.
Would you like a detailed breakdown of his record-breaking stats or his most iconic innings from any of these specific chapters?