Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli (born November 5, 1988) is an Indian international cricketer. He was the captain of the victorious Indian team at the 2008 U/19 Cricket World Cup held in Malaysia. He represents Delhi in first-class cricket. He played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2008 and 2009 Indian Premier League. He learned his cricket in the West Delhi Cricket Academy.

Kohli is a middle order batsman, who can also open the batting. Kohli with 784 points is on first position with South Africa’s batsman A.B. De Villiers in the ICC ODI rankings for Batsman. He is known for his shots through the cover region. He can also bowl right arm medium pace.

Following a hundred in the Emerging Players Tournament in Australia in 2008, Kohli was selected in the ODI squad for India's tour of Sri Lanka. Kohli made his debut in One Day Internationals against Sri Lanka in the Idea Cup in 2008 when both Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag were injured. He opened the batting in the first match, but was out for 12. But he made a crucial 37 in a low scoring second match in the series, which helped India win and level the series. He made his first half century, a score of 54, in the fourth match which helped India win the series. This was India's first one day series win against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. He was included in the squad for the home ODI series against England later that same year but because both Tendulkar and Sehwag were back in the squad he was not given a chance to play. Kohli was then dropped from the squad for the 5 match ODI series in Sri Lanka against Sri Lanka in January 2009 in favour of the all rounder Ravindra Jadeja.

Kohli played in the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy after Yuvraj Singh was injured, and since mid-2009 has been the reserve ODI batsman.

Kohli scored a century in the opening match of the 2011 World Cup against Bangladesh. He also shared a 203-run partnership with city-mate Virender Sehwag He was preferred ahead of Suresh Raina and became the first Indian to score a century on World Cup debut. But Kohli has failed to score big in important matches like ind vs SA,Ind vs Eng and Ind vs Australia.