Virat Kohli Turns 38 as Cricket Stars Celebrate Indian Batting Legend’s Remarkable Career
NEW DELHI–Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli celebrated his 38th birthday Thursday, drawing tributes from former teammates, cricket officials and Indian Premier League franchises honoring his extraordinary achievements and lasting influence on the sport.
Among those extending birthday wishes were former Indian cricketers Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik, along with fast bowler Mohammed Shami, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Vice President Rajeev Shukla and Kohli’s IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan praised Kohli’s dedication and competitive spirit, describing him as an inspiration to millions of cricket fans.
“Happy Birthday, Virat Kohli! Your passion, hunger and love for the game continue to inspire millions. Have a fantastic year ahead, bro!” Dhawan wrote on X.
Former Indian batter Suresh Raina offered an emotional tribute, recalling Kohli’s memorable performances and his ability to deliver under pressure.
“Happy Birthday, King Kohli! From breathtaking cover drives to unforgettable run chases, you’ve given cricket fans countless memories and emotions. Your passion, fighting spirit and hunger to win make you truly special. For me, watching you bat is pure joy. Keep inspiring, keep conquering and keep making India proud! Once a King, Always a King!” Raina posted on X.
Dinesh Karthik, who played alongside Kohli for India and at the franchise level, highlighted the veteran batter’s continued fitness and enthusiasm for cricket.
“Same fire, every single year. 38 never looked this fit. Happy birthday, Virat,” Karthik wrote.
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami also joined the celebrations, posting birthday greetings on Instagram and wishing Kohli “many, many happy returns of the day.”
BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla praised Kohli’s contributions to Indian cricket and his influence on aspiring athletes.
“Your remarkable achievements, fighting spirit and commitment to the game have set new benchmarks and continue to motivate generations of aspiring sportspersons.
“May you continue to scale greater heights, create many more memorable moments and inspire the nation with your brilliance both on and off the field. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead, filled with good health, happiness and continued success,” Shukla wrote on X.
The BCCI marked the occasion with a specially designed tribute featuring Kohli seated in his Indian Test jersey, surrounded by framed photographs capturing memorable moments from his career.
The cricket board also highlighted his extensive international record and major tournament victories.
“566 Intl. Matches & Counting, 28601 Intl. Runs & Counting, 86 Intl. Centuries & Counting. Winner of ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2011, ICC Champions Trophy 2013 & 2025, and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Happy Birthday to one of the finest to ever grace the game, Virat Kohli,” BCCI wrote on X.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the IPL franchise with which Kohli has been closely associated throughout his career, celebrated his birthday by recognizing his influence on a generation of cricket fans.
“Every era produces one player who defines it. For this era of cricket… Virat Kohli is HIM. The numbers will live in the history books, and the world already knows his class. But what we’ll hold on to is how he made us feel throughout. Happy birthday, KING KOHLI!” RCB posted on X.
Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of his generation, has built a career defined by consistency, aggressive batting and exceptional performances in high-pressure situations.
Having retired from Test cricket and Twenty20 Internationals, he continues to focus on the One Day International format, where he remains among the sport’s most accomplished players.
Kohli holds the distinction of being the fastest batter to reach 8,000, 9,000, 10,000, 11,000, 12,000, 13,000 and 14,000 runs in ODI cricket.
Across 318 ODI appearances, he has accumulated 15,183 runs at an average of 58.84, including 55 centuries and 80 half-centuries.
Those figures place him second on the all-time list of ODI run-scorers, underscoring his remarkable consistency over nearly two decades of international cricket.
His record in Twenty20 Internationals has been equally impressive.
In 125 T20I matches, Kohli scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69, recording one century and 38 half-centuries.
His international career has also included several major championship victories, including India’s 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, the 2013 and 2025 ICC Champions Trophy titles and the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Beyond his individual records, Kohli has played a central role in shaping modern Indian cricket through his leadership, fitness standards and competitive approach.
As Kohli enters his 39th year, the birthday celebrations reflect the admiration he continues to command across the cricketing world, with former teammates, officials and fans recognizing a career that has helped define an era of international cricket. (Source: IANS)
