If Virat Kohli played in the 2000s: would he be an even bigger superstar?

Published - 11 Nov 2025, 18:10 IST | Updated - 11 Nov 2025, 18:11 IST

Virat Kohli started his international career at the senior level in 2008, shortly after leading India to the U-19 World Cup title. He cemented his place among the Sachin Tendulkars and Yuvraj Singhs in no time, especially in the ODI format. MS Dhoni gave him the opportunity to excel in the international arena, and the Delhi batter repaid the faith.

During his illustrious career, Kohli won the 2011 ODI World Cup, the Champions Trophy in 2013 and 2025, and the 2024 T20 World Cup. He also took his team to the finals of the inaugural World Test Championship.

The right-handed batter has played 123 Tests, 305 ODIs, and 125 T20Is, having amassed 9230, 14255, and 4188 runs in the three formats, respectively. Kohli also holds the record for scoring the most centuries (51) in ODI cricket.

The 37-year-old has played 267 IPL games, smashing 8661 runs at an average of 39.55. He is the leading run-getter in the history of the cash-rich league, who won the title for the first time in 2025.

Had Kohli played in the 2000s, it would have made India's batting line-up even better than it already was. The likes of Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, and VVS Laxman were the pillars of the Indian batting department, with the likes of Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, and MS Dhoni also managing to carve out their legacy.

In the 2000s, some believe that pitches were tougher, fewer T20s, and bowling attacks comprising several legends like Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shoaib Akhtar, Shaun Pollock, Muttiah Muralitharan to name a few.

Had Kohli played in that era, India could have challenged the mighty Australian team of those times. However, it might have been difficult for Kohli to establish himself as one of the greatest batters of all time, as the focus would have been on Tendulkar.

That said, Kohli's work ethic, fitness, and aggression would have been even more revolutionary in that era. The change would have stood out even more against a backdrop of less athletic players. India is one of the fittest teams in world cricket at the moment, and Kohli's dedication to fitness has played a key role in it. His presence in the 2000s could have brought about a change much earlier.