Virat Kohli Celebrates 38th Birthday Amid Heartfelt Tributes from Cricketing Legends
Cricketing Community Celebrates Virat Kohli's Milestone Birthday
The cricketing world came together on social media to wish batting legend Virat Kohli a happy 38th birthday. Kohli marked this special occasion with a remarkable performance, scoring 74 runs off 51 balls during a rain-affected first ODI against New Zealand in Auckland on Wednesday. This birthday also signifies the start of his 19th year in international cricket, a journey filled with remarkable achievements and unforgettable moments.
Messages of Appreciation from Former Teammates
Shikhar Dhawan, a former Indian opener, took to X to express his admiration for Kohli, highlighting his unwavering passion and dedication to cricket. He wrote, "Happy Birthday, @imVkohli! Your passion, hunger, and love for the game continue to inspire millions. Wishing you a fantastic year ahead, bro!"
Suresh Raina, another former teammate, shared a touching tribute, stating that watching Kohli bat is "pure joy". He reminisced about Kohli's breathtaking cover drives and thrilling run chases, saying, "Happy Birthday, King Kohli! Your passion and fighting spirit make you truly special. Keep inspiring and making India proud!"
Mohammed Shami also joined in the celebrations with an Instagram story wishing Kohli many happy returns. Manoj Tiwary praised Kohli's achievements and urged him to continue inspiring future generations with his dedication to the sport.
Munaf Patel sent his best wishes, hoping for Kohli's continued health and happiness. Dinesh Karthik remarked on Kohli's fitness, stating, "38 never looked this fit! Happy birthday, Virat @virat.kohli."
Virat Kohli's Remarkable Career Achievements
Virat Kohli's trophy cabinet is impressive, boasting a 50-over World Cup, a T20 World Cup, two Champions Trophy titles, and two IPL championships. He stands out as India's most successful Test captain, achieving 40 victories in 68 matches with only 17 losses.
In Test cricket, Kohli has played 123 matches, accumulating 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 fifties, making him the fourth-highest scorer for India in this format.
In ODIs, he ranks as the second-highest run-scorer globally, with 15,183 runs in 318 matches at an average of 58.84, featuring a record 55 centuries and 80 fifties. In T20Is, he is the third-highest run-getter, with 4,188 runs in 125 innings at an average of 48.69, including one century and 38 fifties.
Overall, Kohli is the second-highest run-scorer in international cricket history, with 28,601 runs across 566 matches and 633 innings, averaging 52.86, with 86 centuries and 149 fifties, and a personal best of 254*.