Virat Kohli 38th Birthday: Career Journey, Records and Cricket Legacy

By Aditya Nagar | Updated: Thu, 05 Nov 2026, 01:26 PM (IST)

Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli will be celebrating his 38th birthday on 5th November 2026. His journey from teenage World Cup-winning captain to becoming the most daunting batsman in international cricket is inspiring. Kohli faced every challenge placed before him and conquered it with his best performances across all fronts of the game.

When we talk about his legacy as India’s top sports star, it's built on his consistency and exceptional hunger for runs, which is why he's nicknamed the Run Machine.

Virat Kohli 38th Birthday | Key Characteristics Behind His Global Fame

Virat Kohli journey from U-19 to global icon: Kohli’s journey started in 2008 when, in Malaysia, he led India to the Under-19 World Cup title. His stellar performance in the tournament drew attention, but few could have imagined the soaring success rate of his achievements over the next 18 years. With his exceptional style of play, Kohli rose to fame as one of the most steadfast batters across formats, using technical discipline and an aggressive approach to become a feared batter when chasing runs. His ability to perform under pressure made him the modern-day chase master.

After India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Kohli stepped away, ending a format that made him one of the most bankable performers. Last year, on 12th May, he announced his retirement from Test Cricket. However, he remained a key figure in India’s ODI plans. His emphasis on the 50-over format has not diminished his influence.

What made Kohli a valuable figure in sports was his stellar performances, which added new milestones to his distinguished career.

NOTE: Stay informed with the latest breaking news, current affairs, top headlines, and Latest updates from across the globe.

Kohli Crosses Sachin Tendulkar’s Record

Virat Kohli's 38th Birthday: In one of his standout moments, Sachin Tendulkar broke his long-standing record and became the highest run-scorer. This milestone was achieved during a match against New Zealand in Auckland. With his terrific performance, he became the first batsman to score 13,000 runs while batting at number three, a position he settled on because of his consistency.

Virat Kohli Cricket Legacy | How Chase Master Redefined Modern Batting

Virat Kohli 38th Birthday: Scoring more than 51 ODI centuries and over 80 international hundreds, Kohli emerged as a game changer and a prolific run-maker. His ODI average remains above 57, marking his spectacular consistency. Kohli’s record in global tournaments has earned equal praise. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, he scored 765 runs, the highest aggregate in a single edition.

Virat Kohli Career Achievements | Ranked Number 1 In All Three Formats

Virat Kohli 38th Birthday: One of the major achievements of Virat Kohli is being ranked as World No. 1 in all three formats – T20Is, Tests, and ODIs. He is the only Indian cricketer to have achieved this milestone. Now, as he turns 38 today, his career has entered a new phase, with global commitments centred on ODIs. But his hunger for runs and the confidence to prove his prowess in big matches can never diminish.

Virat Kohli International Cricket Records at a Glance

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Average	100s / 50s	Highest Score
ODI	318	303	15,183	58.85	55 / 80	183
Test	123	210	9,230	46.85	30 / 31	254
T20I	125	117	4,188	48.70	1 / 38	122
Total	566	630+	28,527	52.86	86 / 149	254

Kohli’s Disciplined Diet

Kohli's fitness comes from his balanced, disciplined diet. He strictly follows a vegetarian diet and prefers steamed and boiled food. According to him, adequate fluid intake helps maintain normal body functions and supports his performance during physical activity. To keep himself fit, he spends hours in the gym. According to Kohli, in professional cricket, players must manage pressure, recover from setbacks, and stay focused over long periods. Therefore, maintaining a consistent fitness routine is essential.

Virat Kohli 38th Birthday Celebration with Wife Anushka Sharma

Virat Kohli's 38th Birthday: Virat Kohli shares a strong bond with his wife, Anushka Sharma, whom he married on December 11, 2017. Both are parents to two children. Anushka has often been seen cheering for her husband in cricket matches, and Kohli has been spotted responding with a gesture that defines their love. Kohli celebrated his 38th birthday in Wellington, New Zealand. Because of his busy schedule, he could only share moments with his wife online. On this special occasion, the cricket superstar received warm wishes from his fans, who also shared his old videos.

Read More: