Virat Kohli Debut Match | How the Reign Began?

image-lghxikghVirat Kohli has slammed 214 runs in IPL 2023 [Source: Twitter]

A modern-day legend, India's batting maestro Virat Kohli is currently nearing his 15th year as an international cricketer, having made his debut back in August 2008. Kohli, came into the national side, having won the ICC Under-19 World Cup as a skipper, having amassed 253 runs for India U19.

For India, Kohli has scored 25,322 runs at an astounding average of 53.53, which includes 75 centuries and 130 fifties, accomplishing almost every batting record there is to stake a claim. 

However, before his senior India debut, the Delhi-born represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on April 18, 2008; a relationship that is continuing to date. 

In the ongoing IPL 2023, Kohli has scored 214 runs for RCB. Overall, in 227 IPL matches, the former RCB skipper has accumulated 6,838 runs with 47 fifties and five centuries.


​Let's read into how Kohli's debut in each format resulted in.

First-Class: Kohli made his Ranji Trophy debut back in 2006, against Tamil Nadu, scoring 10 runs in a drawn encounter.

List-A: Before his Ranji debut, Kohli appeared in his maiden List-A game for Delhi against Services, where he did not get to bat.

T20: Kohli's T20 debut game in 2007, as Delhi clashed against Himachal Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, scoring a quick-fire 35 off 26. 


IPL debut  - vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Chinnaswamy, 2008

The first ever-IPL encounter will always be remembered for Brendon McCullum's scintillating 100 that lit up the tournament. Chasing a mammoth 223 to win, RCB suffered a horrible collapse, where Kohli scored just one run in five balls before getting his stumps rattled by KKR's Ashok Dinda.


ODI Debut -  vs Sri Lanka, Dambulla, 2008

India had opted to rest several star players and play youngsters in the series. Kohli's ODI debut started off on the wrong foot, where India embarrassingly lost to Sri Lanka by eight wickets. 

Nuwan Kulasekara got the better of Kohli on that occasion, trapping him leg-before for a 22-ball 12. 

Interestingly, Kohli so far has scored 2,503 ODI runs against the Lankan Lions since then. 

T20I Record: Runs: 4,008 | Matches: 115 | Average 52.73 | 100s 1 | 50s 37


T20I Debut - Zimbabwe, Harare 2010

Kohli's T20 debut took some time, but after a decent outing in IPL 2009, where he scored 246 runs, saw him receive his maiden T20I call-up in the series against Zimbabwe.

Chasing 112 to win, Kohli scored 26* off 21 and remained unbeaten while adding 64 runs for the fifth wicket with Yusuf Pathan after India suffered a slight hiccup.

ODI Record: Runs: 12,898 | Matches: 274 | Average 57.32 | 100s 46 | 50s 65


Test Debut - vs West Indies, 2011

Kohli got his maiden Test cap in 2011, having played for India for three years. With India keen on developing a side for the future, Kohli traveled to the Caribbean and made his debut against the hosts in the 1st Test at Jamaica.

Kohli scored four and 15 runs, respectively in both innings, however, India went on to win the match by 63 runs.

Test Record: Runs: 8,416 | Matches: 108 | Average 48.93 | 100s 28 | 50s 28


In an ode to Kohli's staggering career and record, the International Cricket Council (ICC) named the 34-year-old 'Player of the Decade' and ODI Player of the Decade' in 2020.