In 2009, at the iconic Eden Gardens, Virat Kohli’s maiden century against Sri Lanka sparked a strong intuition that he was destined for greatness. The Indian team’s unwavering support proved to be a masterstroke decision, charting the course for a brighter future in Indian cricket. Kohli’s journey was marked by continuous improvement, honing his ability to consistently score runs, a quality that became inseparable from him.
From that point forward, he proved unstoppable on his path to becoming one of the cricketing world’s elite. The right-handed batsman shattered records, bringing immense pride to the nation and carving a formidable reputation for himself. With every game he played, he meticulously refined his technique, shaping a flourishing career.
Today, he not only stands as India’s premier batter but also reigns as the finest batsman in all three formats of the game. In the realm of global sports, former Indian captain Virat Kohli made headlines by securing the fifth spot in terms of online popularity with an astounding 68 million Google searches, as reported by Livemint. At the zenith of this list is Cristiano Ronaldo, commanding a staggering 199.4 million searches, closely followed by Neymar with 140.9 million searches.
Lionel Messi takes the third spot with 104.4 million searches, while basketball legend LeBron James trails at fourth with 72.1 million searches. Notably, Virat Kohli stands as the most followed cricketer on social media and the most followed Asian on Instagram, boasting a remarkable following of over 261 million.
World's most searched Athletes on Google 2023. [livemint]
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 25, 2023
1) Ronaldo – 199.4 M
2) Neymar – 140.9 M
3) Messi – 104.4 M
4) LeBron James – 72.1 M
5) Virat Kohli – 68 M
King Kohli – The Icon of cricket. pic.twitter.com/cv82Mqy2CR
Meanwhile, Virat Kohli currently graces India’s squad in the ongoing 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. He recently delivered a match-winning performance with a commanding 95 against New Zealand in Dharamsala, playing a pivotal role in securing a much-needed victory.
Kohli stands as the second-highest run-scorer in this edition of the World Cup, amassing an impressive total of 354 runs in just five games, with a remarkable batting average of 118. The veteran cricketer is set to return to the cricketing arena on Sunday, October 29th, in a clash against England at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.