Virat Kohli's evolution (2008-2018): The journey in pictures

World Cup glory at 23

A century in the World Cup added Kohli to elite company

All this while, the selectors knew that a player of his calibre had to be backed, despite questions over his temperament and brash attitude. A clear sign of his future emerged after he was named in the final squad for the 2011 World Cup, a big achievement for the 23-year-old who had played 45 ODIs till then.

Kohli tasted ultimate glory at 23

He made a cracking start to the marquee tournament, scoring a century in his debut World Cup match against Bangladesh, proving he knew how to up his game on the biggest stage.

A shambolic Test series against England might have dampened India’s World Cup party, but Kohli emerged as one of the diamonds from the rough, doing well in both ODIs and T20Is on swinging pitches in England.

Proving mettle in whites

Kohli got to play with his mentor for 18 Tests

Having proved that he could score on foreign soil, Kohli got onto the bus for India’s tour to the West Indies in 2011, with the team slowly losing its famed batting attack to age. The middle-order needed some fixing, but Kohli’s inclusion was accompanied by question marks: still perceived as a hot-headed batsman, his temperament was thought to be ill-suited for the longest format.

The century against Australia at Adelaide in 2012 turned his Test career for the better

He struggled in his first few games, but came out with, perhaps, a career-changing innings that made the world sit up and take notice of his mental prowess and ability to thrive under extreme pressure. A century against Australia, in Australia, was the only ingredient he needed to ripen and become a middle-order fixture.