From youth captain to international milestonesOur World

Virat Kohli

Follow selected stages of Kohli’s public cricket career, from the Under-19 World Cup to his Test retirement announcement.

Subject guide · scope, chapters & sources ↗

Eight selected international milestones, reviewed on 17 October 2026. The endpoint is the documented May 2025 Test retirement, not retirement from all cricket or a live statistical leaderboard.

2008Malaysia

A youth captain wins a world title

Kohli leads India to the Under-19 World Cup.

Signed Virat Kohli cricket jersey in a museum display. — DesiBoy101 · CC BY 4.0

2008Sri Lanka

The senior international career begins

Kohli makes his ODI debut for India.

2 April 2011Mumbai, India

India wins the men’s Cricket World Cup

Dhoni, Tendulkar and Kohli share a team milestone in Mumbai.

Sachin Tendulkar World Cup jersey displayed in a museum. — DesiBoy101 · CC BY 4.0

2014Australia

Test captaincy changes hands

Kohli succeeds MS Dhoni during the Australia tour.

Virat Kohli in India Test cricket clothing. — Prime Minister's Office, Government of India · GODL-India

22 January 2019International cricket

Three ICC awards recognise one season

The 2018 performances receive recognition in January 2019.

A cropped portrait of Virat Kohli wearing a scarf. — Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India · GODL-India

15 November 2023Mumbai, India

Fifty ODI centuries

A World Cup semifinal brings a batting landmark.

Virat Kohli bat displayed in a cricket museum. — DesiBoy101 · CC BY 4.0

29 June 2024Barbados

A title and a T20I farewell

Kohli announces his departure from T20 internationals.

12 May 2025International cricket

The Test chapter closes

Kohli announces retirement from Test cricket.