Former India captain Virat Kohli celebrates his 37th birthday today, November 5, with wishes pouring in from across the cricketing world. One of the greatest players of the modern era, Kohli’s legacy as a record-breaking batter, fierce competitor and fitness icon continues to inspire millions even as he heads into the twilight years of his illustrious career.
A modern great with unmatched consistency
Kohli, who has retired from T20Is and Test cricket, remains an active presence in ODIs and the IPL. Over nearly two decades, he has redefined batting standards with his intensity, passion and consistency — amassing runs across all formats and leading India to memorable victories.
Having spent his entire IPL career with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Kohli finally lifted his maiden IPL title with the franchise earlier this year in June, a long-awaited moment in both his and the team’s journey.
To mark the milestone, RCB shared a series of heartfelt birthday posts celebrating their former captain’s enduring impact on the franchise and Indian cricket.
IPL franchises join in wishing the ‘King’
Kohli’s influence transcends team loyalties, and on Monday, IPL franchises across the board paid rich tributes to the Indian cricket icon.
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) shared a powerful edit describing him as “Sachin Tendulkar’s successor” and affectionately calling him “Arasen” — Tamil for “King.”
- Mumbai Indians (MI) posted a photo of Kohli at the Wankhede Stadium from the 2023 World Cup, referring to him as the “Run Machine.”
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) shared a throwback image of Kohli with team co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, captioned: “No intermission, just impact. Happy Birthday, Virat Kohli!”
- Rajasthan Royals (RR) highlighted the “generations of fans” who have grown up idolising Kohli, while Delhi Capitals (DC) — his home team during his early days — shared an emotional edit featuring clips from his junior cricketing years in Delhi.
Tributes from former teammates
Among former cricketers, Suresh Raina — Kohli’s long-time India teammate and 2011 World Cup winner — took to social media to extend his wishes.
“A true legend of Indian cricket. Wishing you a very happy birthday, brother,” Raina wrote, accompanied by a picture from their playing days.
Several other ex-cricketers and international stars also shared messages lauding Kohli’s passion, discipline and unmatched dedication to the sport.
A career that continues to inspire
Having debuted for India in 2008, Kohli has since built one of the most decorated resumes in cricket history — with over 26,000 international runs and hundreds of records to his name. Beyond his numbers, he is credited with revolutionising fitness standards in Indian cricket and setting a new cultural benchmark for professionalism and self-belief.
Even at 37, Kohli remains one of the most followed athletes globally, a brand ambassador of Indian excellence and an enduring symbol of commitment to the game.