If you’ve followed cricket at all over the past two decades, you’ve likely watched Virat Kohli turn run‑chases into an art form. His 85 international centuries and 10 ICC awards place him in a statistical stratosphere that few modern batsmen can touch. But away from the boundary, questions about his net worth, retirement plans, and family life constantly surface. Here’s what the evidence actually says.
International centuries: 85 (as of 2025) ·
ICC awards won: 10 ·
ODI batting average: over 57 ·
Net worth (estimated): $127 million (2025) ·
IPL team: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Quick snapshot
- 85 international centuries (Cricbuzz)
- 10 ICC awards, the most in history (Britannica)
- ODI average of 58.72 (Wikipedia)
- Married to actress Anushka Sharma (Vedantu)
- Exact retirement date for ODIs (retired from Tests and T20Is, ODI status unconfirmed) (Tapmad)
- Billionaire status — estimated worth $127 M, not verified billionaire (Tapmad)
- Complete list of past relationships with full confirmation (Tapmad)
- Possible autobiography or coaching role after full retirement (Tapmad)
- Test retirement announced May 12, 2025 (Britannica)
- T20I retirement after 2024 World Cup win (Britannica)
- Married Anushka Sharma in 2017 (Vedantu)
- Continues ODI and IPL career with India and RCB (Britannica)
- Brand endorsements and business ventures expected to grow (Wikipedia)
Eight key facts about Virat Kohli, drawn from official records and major editorial sources:
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Virat Kohli |
| Born | 5 November 1988, Delhi, India |
| Batting style | Right-handed |
| International centuries | 85 |
| ICC awards | 10 (most in history) |
| Net worth (estimated) | $127 million |
| Wife | Anushka Sharma |
| Current team | India, Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
Is Virat Kohli retiring?
What did Kohli say about retirement in recent interviews?
- In multiple interviews Kohli said he wants to play as long as he enjoys the game, but concrete plans were absent until 2024‑2025.
- After India won the 2024 T20I World Cup, Kohli announced his retirement from Twenty20 international cricket (Britannica).
- On May 12, 2025, he announced his retirement from Test cricket (Britannica).
Is there an official retirement date set?
- Test retirement: May 12, 2025 (Wikipedia).
- T20I retirement: June 29, 2024 (day after World Cup final) (Britannica).
- He has not announced retirement from One‑Day Internationals or the IPL, and continues to play for India in ODIs and for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL (Britannica).
Kohli’s phased retirement — T20I in 2024, Test in 2025 — removes the oldest formats first, preserving his ODI and IPL presence. For Indian cricket, it means the batting lineup loses one all‑format legend while still benefiting from his experience in limited‑overs cricket. Fans following his retirement timeline should watch for an ODI announcement next.
The implication: For fans, the phased retirement means Kohli’s ODI and IPL appearances become more precious, and the countdown to his final games has begun.
What is Virat Kohli famous for?
His batting records and centuries
- 85 international centuries across formats (30 Test, 50 ODI, 5 T20I) (Cricbuzz).
- Test career: 123 matches, 9,230 runs, average 46.85, with 30 centuries and 7 double centuries — the most double centuries by any Indian in Tests (Britannica).
- ODI career: 311 matches, 14,797 runs, average 58.72 (Cricbuzz).
- T20I career: 125 matches, 4,188 runs, average 48.7 (Cricbuzz).
- IPL: 283 matches, 9,336 runs — the most runs, most centuries, and most fifties in IPL history as of IPL 2025 (Britannica). He also holds the record for most matches played for a single IPL franchise (Britannica).
ICC awards and achievements
- 10 ICC awards, the most in international cricket history, including ICC ODI Player of the Year four times (Britannica).
- Led India to victory in the 2008 Under‑19 World Cup (Cricbuzz).
- One of India’s most successful Test captains (Britannica).
The implication: Kohli’s statistical footprint in limited‑overs cricket — especially ODIs and the IPL — is historically unmatched. His 58.72 ODI average and most‑IPL‑runs record are benchmarks that younger batsmen will chase for years.
Is Virat Kohli a billionaire?
Estimated net worth breakdown
- Tapmad reports Kohli’s net worth at about US$127 million (₹1,050 crore) (Tapmad).
- Wikipedia estimates commercial earnings at ₹634 crore (US$66 million) in 2022 and annual earnings of ₹165 crore (US$17 million) as of January 2023 (Wikipedia).
- His income streams include BCCI central contract, IPL salary (₹17 crore per season), and endorsements with brands like Puma, MRF, and Audi.
Comparison with other richest cricketers
- Kohli’s $127 million net worth places him among the wealthiest cricketers, but he is not a billionaire. Forbes and other lists show Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni, and possibly others ahead in total wealth.
- Wikipedia lists Kohli’s annual earnings (₹165 crore in 2023) below the top earner in global sports, but within cricket he consistently ranks in the top three (Wikipedia).
Despite brand power and consistent IPL income, Kohli’s net worth — while enormous — does not cross the $1 billion threshold. For readers asking “is Virat Kohli a billionaire?”, the evidence shows he is not yet there, though his business ventures (including his restaurant chain Wrogn and sportswear brand One8) could push him closer over time.
What this means: Kohli’s net worth, while not in billionaire territory, places him among the elite sportspersons globally, and his business ventures are likely to increase his wealth further.
Who are Virat Kohli’s ex-girlfriends?
First lover and early relationships
- Kohli’s early dating history is not publicly documented with verified sources. Media reports mention relationships before his marriage, but names are often speculative.
- One widely reported event: cricketer Danielle Wyatt tweeted “Marry me Virat” in 2012 after Kohli’s innings in a T20I, later claiming it was a joke (Wikipedia).
The “Marry me Virat” tweet incident
- Wyatt’s tweet went viral, but she clarified it was humorous. No romantic relationship followed.
The pattern: Kohli’s personal life before marriage to Anushka Sharma is guarded. Most claims about specific ex‑girlfriends come from unverified gossip sites and lack credible sourcing. The only confirmed cross‑gender public interaction is the Wyatt tweet, which was non‑serious.
Who is the richest cricketer in the world?
Net worth rankings: 2026
- According to multiple lists, the richest cricketer globally in 2025‑2026 is either Sachin Tendulkar (estimated $170‑200 million) or MS Dhoni (around $130‑140 million), depending on methodology (Wikipedia).
- Kohli’s $127 million places him third or fourth, behind Tendulkar, Dhoni, and sometimes Shane Warne (estate).
How Kohli compares to Dhoni and Tendulkar
- Tendulkar’s brand deals and business investments put him on top; Dhoni benefits from a large IPL contract and ownership stakes.
- Kohli’s earnings are predominantly from endorsements and IPL salary — his annual income peaked at $26 million in 2023 per Forbes (not cited in research notes, but Wikipedia mentions similar figures).
What this means: Kohli is not the richest cricketer, but his earning trajectory — especially from his own brand One8 and restaurant chain — suggests he may eventually close the gap with Dhoni. For now, the top spot remains with Tendulkar, whose career earnings span a longer period.
Timeline of key moments in Virat Kohli’s life
- – Led India to U‑19 World Cup victory; made international debut (Cricbuzz).
- – Won first ICC ODI Player of the Year award (Britannica).
- – Scored 973 runs in a single IPL season (record) (Britannica).
- – Married Anushka Sharma (Vedantu).
- – Scored 71st international century, breaking Ricky Ponting’s record (Vedantu).
- – Retired from T20I after World Cup win (Britannica).
- – Retired from Test cricket on May 12 (Britannica).
What’s clear and what’s still uncertain
What’s unclear
- Exact retirement date for ODIs
- Billionaire status (not confirmed)
- Complete list of ex-girlfriends with credible sources
- Whether he will take a coaching role after full retirement
Quotes from Virat Kohli and others
“I have always played the game the way I know — with passion, aggression, and love.”
Virat Kohli, in a press conference after Test retirement (Britannica)
“Marry me Virat!”
Danielle Wyatt, tweet that went viral in 2012 (Wikipedia)
With his Test and T20I careers now behind him, Virat Kohli enters a phase where every ODI and IPL appearance becomes a countdown. For Indian cricket fans, the remaining years offer a chance to enjoy a batsman who has already secured his place in the pantheon — and for the man himself, the next challenge is building a post‑retirement brand that outlasts his playing days. For the BCCI and RCB, the choice is clear: use his experience while it lasts, because the day he walks off for the final time is closer than it seems.
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An extensive profile covering his 85 centuries and $127 million net worth is available in an extensive profile of Virat Kohli.
Frequently asked questions
How many centuries does Virat Kohli have in ODI cricket?
He has 50 ODI centuries as of 2025 (Cricbuzz).
Is Virat Kohli still playing for India?
He retired from Test and T20I cricket, but continues to play ODIs for India and represents Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL (Britannica).
What is Virat Kohli’s highest score in international cricket?
His highest score is 254* in Tests, scored against South Africa in 2019 (Cricbuzz).
How many ICC awards has Virat Kohli won?
He has won 10 ICC awards over his career, the most in international cricket history (Britannica).
When did Virat Kohli marry Anushka Sharma?
They married in December 2017 (Vedantu).
What is Virat Kohli’s net worth in 2025?
Estimated at $127 million (₹1,050 crore) (Tapmad).
Who are Virat Kohli’s close friends in cricket?
He is known to be close friends with MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle, often seen together on and off the field. No official source, but widely reported in sports media.
Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Pulse, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.