Happy Birthday Virat Kohli: 5 best social media posts for the superstar
Former Indian captain and cricketing icon Virat Kohli is celebrating his 36th birthday on Tuesday, November 5. Since his debut in 2008, Kohli has shattered numerous records and played a key role in some of India’s most historic victories, including the 2011 ODI World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, and the 2024 T20 World Cup. Kohli has truly seen it all.
The Delhi-born cricketer has scored 13,906 runs in 295 ODIs at an average of 58.18, making him the third-highest run-scorer in the format. He has scored 72 fifties and 50 centuries, the most by any player in ODIs.
Kohli is India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket, having amassed 9,040 runs in 118 matches, including 31 fifties and 29 centuries. Additionally, the star batter represented India in 125 T20Is before retiring from the format earlier this year, scoring 4,188 runs with 38 fifties and one century, remaining second on the list of most runs in T20Is.
The 36-year-old has amassed 80 international centuries, trailing only Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record with 100. These are just a few of the many remarkable records Kohli has set throughout his cricketing career.
As the star batter celebrates his birthday on November 5, wishes poured in from all corners. On that note, let's look at five of the best social media tributes to the superstar.
#1 “When he’s on the crease, Indians stop reading the win probability meter”- Rajasthan Royals
Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals posted an impressive video celebrating Virat Kohli, featuring memorable moments from his international career. They captioned the post:
“When he’s on the crease, 1.4 billion Indians stop reading the win probability meter and just start believing. Happy Birthday, GOAT.”
Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) player has a solid record against Rajasthan Royals (RR), amassing 764 runs in 30 innings, including four fifties and one century.
#2 “Us din laga tha ki yeh ladka aage jake kuch alag banega” - Akash Chopra
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra shared a video with his voiceover, recounting the poignant story of how Virat Kohli took the field again after the tragic loss of his father in 2006, during a Ranji Trophy match against Karnataka.
He captioned the post:
"Uss din laga tha ki yeh ladka aage jake kuch alag banega. [That day, it felt like this boy would go on to become something special]. Many happy returns of the day to the one and only King Kohli."
Despite his grief, Kohli scored a resilient 90 runs off 238 balls, including 16 boundaries, helping Delhi avoid the follow-on as the match ended in a draw.
#3 Anushka Sharma shares heartwarming post for her husband
Virat Kohli's wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, grabbed everyone's attention when she posted a picture on Instagram featuring her husband and their two children. In the photo, Kohli is seen holding both of his children, with their faces obscured by heart-shaped emojis.
The couple tied the knot on December 11, 2017, in a private ceremony in Italy. Anushka has often been seen supporting Kohli at stadiums, and together they have two children: daughter Vamika and son Akaay.
#4 “Your dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence inspire me and millions of others” - AB de Villiers
Virat Kohli's former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate and retired South African cricketer AB de Villiers took to Instagram to share a heartfelt birthday message. The 40-year-old captioned the post:
“Happy birthday, my Biscuit! Wishing you an incredible year ahead, filled with love, success, and many more unbeaten centuries. As I look back on our time together on and off the field, I'm reminded of your unwavering commitment to the game. Your dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence inspire me and millions of others.”
“Here's to another year of breaking records, pushing boundy, and being authentically you. May this year bring you everything you desire and more. Wishing you an abundance of love, peace, laughters, and magic in the year ahead,” he added.
The duo holds the record for the most runs scored by a pair in IPL history, amassing 3,123 runs across 76 partnerships, including 10 stands of over 100 runs. They also set the record for the highest partnership in IPL history, with an incredible 229-run stand against Gujarat Lions in the 2016 season.
#5 “The greatest comebacks emerge from our setbacks” - Yuvraj Singh
Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh shared an inspiring birthday message for Virat Kohli. The 36-year-old has been struggling with his form recently, having only managed 93 runs in three Tests during the series against New Zealand. However, Yuvraj expressed his confidence that Kohli will bounce back, just as he has done in the past.
"Wishing you a very Happy Birthday #KingKohli! The greatest comebacks emerge from our setbacks and the world eagerly looks forward to your solid comeback (fire emoji) you’ve done it in the past and I’m sure you will do it yet again (other emojis) God bless! lots of love,” Yuvraj wrote.
Kohli will return to action when India take on Australia in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, beginning on November 22 in Perth.