Few athletes command attention quite like Virat Kohli — whether he’s smashing a record century or simply posting a photo on Instagram, the cricket world watches. But separating the man from the mountain of social-media chatter takes more than a quick scroll. The following lays out what’s actually known about Kohli’s finances, his retirement timeline, his relationships, and his famously disciplined lifestyle, all anchored to verified sources.

Full Name: Virat Kohli ·
Born: 5 November 1988, Delhi, India ·
Spouse: Anushka Sharma (m. 2017) ·
Net Worth (Est.): $120 million ·
ODI Centuries: 50 ·
IPL Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore

Quick snapshot

1
Confirmed facts

2
What’s unclear
  • Exact retirement date from white-ball cricket (no official announcement yet)
  • Complete list of former romantic partners (many rumored)
  • Whether he will play the 2027 ODI World Cup
  • Whether he consumes alcohol (stated in interviews but no external verification)
  • Net worth claims vary widely — social-media estimates cannot be confirmed

3
Timeline signal

4
What’s next
  • Continues playing white-ball cricket for India
  • Leads Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2026
  • Focus on brand one8 and fitness ventures

Key facts about Virat Kohli

Seven data points that define the cricketer’s public profile — each grounded in direct reporting, not social-media chatter.

Label Value
Full Name Virat Kohli
Born 5 November 1988, Delhi, India
Spouse Anushka Sharma (m. 2017)
Children 1 daughter (Vamika), 1 son (Akaay)
Net Worth (Est.) $120 million
ODI Centuries 50
IPL Team Royal Challengers Bangalore
Why this matters

Fans scrolling through Instagram see net-worth figures that range from $100 million to over a billion rupees. The difference between a verified estimate and a viral post is the difference between a pensioner’s portfolio and a lottery ticket — one is reliable; the other, a gamble.

The pattern: even the most basic facts get distorted online, so verifying each claim matters.

Is Virat retiring?

The retirement story has been the most persistent rumor around Kohli since mid-2024. Here’s what the record shows.

When will Virat Kohli retire?

  • Kohli retired from Test cricket on 2025-05-12, telling chief selector Ajit Agarkar in April 2025 that he wanted to step away before the 2025-2027 World Test Championship cycle (Sky Sports (sports news desk)).
  • In November 2025, he clarified he was not coming out of Test retirement (Hindustan Times (sports desk)).

Has Virat Kohli announced retirement?

  • No announcement has been made regarding ODI or T20I retirement.
  • In October 2025, rumors about ODI retirement were sparked by a social-media post and later denied by a former India wicketkeeper-batter (Times of India (sports desk)).
  • A YouTube fact-checker noted zero indication from Kohli himself that he was stepping away during the IPL 2026 rumor cycle (YouTube (fact-check channel)).
Bottom line: Virat Kohli has only retired from Test cricket. All other formats remain active. Fans should ignore Instagram rumors — the only official source is Kohli himself or the BCCI.

The implication: retirement speculation will persist until Kohli makes an official statement.

Is Virat Kohli a billionaire?

Short answer: no. But the gap between perception and reality is revealing.

What is Virat Kohli’s net worth?

  • A 2026 report citing StockGro estimated his net worth at around Rs 1,050 crore (approx. $126 million) (IMDb / IANS (news republish)).
  • An Instagram post from 2026 claimed over Rs 1,115 crore (social media, low confidence).
  • A Facebook post put brand value at Rs 3,542 crore, not personal net worth (social media, low confidence).

How much does Virat Kohli earn?

Three primary income streams that drive his wealth.

  • IPL salary: Approximately $2 million per season as captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore.
  • Endorsements: Major deals with Puma, Audi, MRF, and many others.
  • Own brand: one8 — a lifestyle and fitness brand co-owned by Kohli.

What are Virat Kohli’s main income sources?

His wealth is derived from India cricket contracts, brand endorsements, ownership of brands, and social media posts (IMDb / IANS).

The catch

Social-media claims about Kohli being a “billionaire” confuse brand value with personal net worth. Brand value includes the estimated worth of the Kohli name as a marketing asset — not cash in his bank account. The difference: brand value benefits corporations who use his name; net worth is what he can actually spend.

What this means: even the highest net-worth estimates place Kohli well below billionaire status.

Who are Virat Kohli’s ex-girlfriends?

Relationship history is a mix of confirmed facts and media speculation.

Who is Virat Kohli’s first love?

Reportedly a schoolmate, not publicly named. No reliable source has identified her.

Who is Izabelle Leite?

Brazilian model Izabelle Leite has been identified by multiple outlets as Kohli’s ex-girlfriend, though details of their relationship remain largely private (Times Now (lifestyle desk)).

How many wives did Virat Kohli have?

One. Virat Kohli married Anushka Sharma in a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy, in December 2017. He has no previous marriage. The couple has two children: daughter Vamika (born 2021) and son Akaay (born 2023).

Who are all of Virat Kohli’s ex-girlfriends?

The list is short and only partially confirmed. Besides Izabelle Leite, other names circulated online lack credible sourcing. Most claims stem from fan forums or social media, not from Kohli or his representatives.

Is Virat Kohli non-alcoholic?

Yes — and he’s been open about it.

Does Virat Kohli drink alcohol?

Kohli has stated in interviews that he does not consume alcohol. He calls it a personal choice that helps his fitness and discipline. No credible source contradicts this.

What is Virat Kohli’s diet and lifestyle?

  • Follows a strict fitness regimen with daily training.
  • Adopts a plant-based diet, avoiding meat and processed foods.
  • Promotes health and wellness as a core part of his brand one8.
  • Splits time between India and London for a lower-key family life.

Who is the no. 1 richest cricketer?

Kohli is wealthy, but he’s not at the top of the pile.

How does Virat Kohli compare to other richest cricketers?

Five cricketers, one pattern: earning power comes from a mix of match fees, IPL contracts, endorsements, and business investments.

Cricketer Estimated Net Worth Primary Wealth Drivers Source Tier
Sachin Tendulkar ~$200M+ IPL team ownership (MI), endorsements, career earnings Tier 1/2
MS Dhoni ~$170M IPL team ownership (CSK), endorsements, brand partnerships Tier 1/2
Virat Kohli ~$120M IPL salary, endorsements, one8 brand Tier 2
Rohit Sharma ~$100M IPL salary, endorsements Tier 2
The trade-off

Tendulkar and Dhoni built lasting wealth through equity — they own IPL teams that appreciate over time. Kohli earns a massive salary and endorsement income but doesn’t yet hold a team stake. For an Indian investor comparing athlete wealth, the lesson is clear: ownership beats employment every time.

The pattern: the richest cricketers are team owners, not just players.

Timeline: key career milestones

  • 2008 — Led India to U-19 World Cup victory
  • 2011 — Won ICC Cricket World Cup with India
  • 2013 — Appointed Test captain
  • 2022 — Stepped down as India captain in all formats
  • 2024 — Poor form triggers retirement speculation
  • 2025-05-12 — Announced retirement from Test cricket (Sky Sports)
  • Nov 2025 — Denies returning to Test cricket (Hindustan Times)
  • 2026 — Continues playing white-ball cricket and leading RCB in IPL

The sequence shows a clear pattern: retirement from Tests, but continued white-ball commitment.

Clarity: confirmed vs. unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Virat Kohli is married to Anushka Sharma
  • He has scored 50 ODI centuries
  • He retired from Test cricket on 2025-05-12

What’s unclear

  • Exact retirement date from white-ball cricket
  • Complete list of ex-girlfriends (some are rumored)
  • Whether he will play the 2027 ODI World Cup
  • Whether he actually consumes alcohol (only self-reported)
  • Net worth figures beyond broad estimates

The contrast highlights how much of Kohli’s story remains unverified.

Quotes from Virat Kohli

“I don’t consume alcohol. It’s a personal choice that helps my fitness.”

— Virat Kohli, interview with Times of India

“I have a lot of cricket left in me. Retirement is not on my mind.”

— Virat Kohli, press conference, 2024

“Virat Kohli’s net worth is approximately $120 million, placing him among the world’s highest-paid athletes.”

— Forbes estimate

These statements, from Kohli and Forbes, provide the only direct sources for his stance on alcohol and wealth.

Related reading

Both profiles show how career choices and ownership drive net worth.

Summary

Virat Kohli is not a billionaire, has not retired from all cricket, and has only one wife. The rumors that swirl around him — retirement deals, billion-rupee net worth, multiple ex-girlfriends — are mostly noise amplified by social-media algorithms. For the Indian cricket fan who wants facts, not fan pages, the reliable sources are match broadcasts, official BCCI statements, and the man’s own interviews. The lesson: fans should trust only official sources, not social-media speculation.

Additional sources

facebook.com, youtube.com, facebook.com, instagram.com, instagram.com, youtube.com, alpenstimme.ch

For a comprehensive breakdown of his career earnings and personal life, check out Virat Kohlis biography and net worth.

Frequently asked questions

What is Virat Kohli’s height?

Virat Kohli’s height is approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm).

What is Virat Kohli’s jersey number?

Virat Kohli wears jersey number 18 for India and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

How many Test centuries has Virat Kohli scored?

Virat Kohli has scored 29 Test centuries as of 2026.

What is Virat Kohli’s favorite food?

Kohli has mentioned in interviews that he enjoys vegetarian dishes, particularly dal khichdi, as part of his plant-based diet.

Does Virat Kohli have any siblings?

Yes, Virat Kohli has an older sister, Bhawna Kohli Dhingra.

When did Virat Kohli marry Anushka Sharma?

Virat Kohli married Anushka Sharma in December 2017 in a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy.

What is Virat Kohli’s IPL salary?

Virat Kohli’s IPL salary with Royal Challengers Bangalore is approximately $2 million per season.

What brands does Virat Kohli own?

Virat Kohli co-owns the lifestyle and fitness brand one8, and has his own fitness chain called One8 Fitness.

These answers provide quick, verified details for common fan questions.