10 Lesser-known facts about Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli will turn 35 on November 5, 2023, in Kolkata. The batting maestro is in the city of joy for Team India’s World Cup 2023 game against South Africa at Eden Gardens. On his birthday, his fans will love to witness him getting the better of the Proteas at the iconic stadium.

Indian team supporters are eagerly waiting for Kohli to equal Sachin Tendulkar’s record of the most One-Day International (ODI) centuries and fans are hoping him to end their wait in Kolkata. Before his 35th birthday, it’s time to know some lesser-known facts about India’s top-order batter.

Here are 10 lesser-known records held by Virat Kohli

1. Never been auctioned in the Indian Premier League (IPL)

Virat Kohli is the only player in the Indian Premier League (IPL) who never went under the hammer. Back in 2008, when IPL’s maiden auction was held, Under-19 players were not allowed to participate in it as they were picked in the pre-season draft. Impressed with Kohli’s Under-19 World Cup 2008 performance, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) signed him after Delhi Capitals (DC) didn't show interest in him.

2. Only bowler to scalp a wicket in the 0th ball in T20 internationals (T20Is)

Virat Kohli is the first and only player to bag a wicket off a non-legal or zeroth delivery in T20 Internationals (T20Is). In 2011, when India and England locked horns with each other in a T20I contest in Manchester, Kohli got Kevin Pietersen stumped on a wide delivery. 

3. The first Indian batter to notch up a ton on World Cup debut

In the World Cup 2011 inaugural match, India registered a convincing 87-run victory over Bangladesh in Mirpur and kicked off their campaign with confidence. The match is remembered for Virender Sehwag’s blistering 175-run knock off 140 balls and Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100 off 83. Smashing the ton against the Bangla side, Kohli became the first and only batter to hit a ton on World Cup debut. 

4. Youngest player to clinch the ODI Cricketer of the Year award

Kohli is the youngest player to become the recipient of the ODI Cricketer of the Year award. In 2012, he got the award for racking up 1381 runs in 34 ODIs in 2011 and ending up as the leading run-getter in the year. These numbers also helped him join the league of the cricketing greats Matthew Hayden, Michael Hussey, MS Dhoni, and Kevin Pietersen, at the age of 23.  

5. Most double centuries as a Test skipper 

In December 2017, Kohli broke into record books for scoring the most double centuries as a Test captain. The star player hit his sixth double-ton as a skipper in a Test match played against Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and surpassed the former West Indies captain Brian Lara’s record of five tons in cricket’s longest format. 

6. Only Indian batter to score 500+ runs in a bilateral ODI series

In 2018, India registered their maiden ODI series victory on South African soil under Virat Kohli, beating the home team by a 5-1 margin in a six-match series. In the competition, Kohli led his team from the front and guided his side to a historic triumph. Playing six games in the competition, he piled up 558 runs with three tons in six matches and became the Player of the Series. The incredible performance also made him the only India batter to accumulate more than 500 runs in a bilateral ODI series. 

7.  Has a stake in the FC Goa franchise of the Indian Super League (ISL)

Kohli is an ardent football supporter and he has displayed his love for the sport several times. Every year, the India batting maestro appears in a celebrity football game that raises funds for charity. In September 2014, he also became a co-owner of the Indian Super League (ISL) football club FC Goa, acquiring a stake in the franchise. 

8. Turned himself into a vegetarian due to health reasons

The Delhi-born player turned himself into a vegetarian in 2018 after facing a cervical spine issue during a Test match against South Africa. Kohli once revealed that when India were clashing with England in a five-match Test series in 2018, he omitted meat from his diet and adopted a vegetarian lifestyle to stay fit and healthy. 

9. Became one of the Best 10 Dressed men in the World

Back in February 2012, the 23-year-old Kohli hit the headlines for featuring on the list of 10 best-dressed international men. On the list published by the renowned GQ magazine, Kohli held the number three spot for his dressing style. The list also included the then-United States (US) President Barack Obama.   

10. Didn’t leave the match despite his father’s demise

In December 2006, Kohli went through immense pain during Delhi’s match against Karnataka in the Ranji Trophy at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Amidst the crucial game, the right-handed batter learned about his father Prem Kohli passing away due to a heart attack. Despite knowing about his father’s demise, Kohli didn’t leave the match and turned out on the field the next day to fulfil his responsibility. The match ended in stalemate and the 18-year-old Kohli back to the pavilion after scoring 90 runs from his bat.