Virat Kohli’s Madhya Pradesh Roots

The whole of India addresses India’s Test Vice Captain as the ‘Delhi Boy’. But on the word of reports, a fact not known by many, Virat Kohli’s family originally does not hail from Delhi.

Kohli, who lives in the capital, joined the West Delhi Cricket Academy at the tender age of 9 to learn the basics of the game which he went on to conquer. His affiliation with the city continued when he joined the Delhi Under-15 Team in 2002. Destined as he was to scale heights, teen Kohli then got an opportunity to be a part of the Delhi Under-17 and Under-19 Squad, followed by the Ranji Trophy in which he represented the city we all know as his hometown. And when the star batsman himself calls the Feroz Shah Kotla as his home turf, even his ardent advocates would want to disbelieve the fact that Kohli’s roots lie in Madhya Pradesh and not Delhi.

Virat Kohli’s family belongs to a town called Katni in Madhya Pradesh. His paternal cousins still live here but if an exclusive coverage by Dainik Bhaskar is to be believed, Virat has not spoken to his aunt and uncle for a couple of years now. He last visited Katni in 2005 on the occasion of his cousin’s death.

Virat’s paternal aunty was the Mayor Of Katni (Picture Credit – DainikBhaskar)

Kohli’s paternal aunt, Asha Kohli, has previously served as the Mayor of Katni. It was learned from her that the batsman’s grandfather came to Katni at the time of India’s partition. Prem Kohli, Virat’s father, did his schooling from Gulabchand School in Katni and after completing his education, moved to Sarangpur where a period of financial hardship led him to shift to Delhi in search of better living. The family business was set up in the capital and since then, the Kohlis have lived there.

Virat’s ancestral house in Katni, where his father lived. Source – DainikBhaskar

His paternal uncle revealed that much water has passed under the bridge since he last had a proper conversation with his star-nephew. Ever since Kohli’s stint with international cricket began, his contact with his extended family has been irregular. However, Virat Kohli’s elder brother Vikash Kohli, who runs the family business in Delhi, and mother Saroj Kohli are in constant touch with the family back in Madhya Pradesh. The ancestral house where Virat’s father lived is still in Katni.

Virat’s brother Vikash Kohli handles the family business in New Delhi. Source – DainikBhaskar

His paternal cousin brother Rupak Kohli, who works with an MNC in Gurgaon, further revealed that he does not like to disturb Virat when he is on tours so that his focus remains only on the game.

Virat’s cousin Rupak Kohli. Source – Dainik Bhaskar

Virat Kohli is arguably one of the best batsmen in the world and in his young career has broken many records and surpassed his own feats. He is also the highest paid cricketer in the world and the amount of money he generates through his business ventures and endorsements, makes him one of the richest cricketers in the world.

Now, Virat and his family have shifted from Delhi to Gurgaon. The reason for relocating, his paternal aunt explained, was the difficulty faced by the family to commute from Pashchim Vihar to the Airport. Therefore they shifted from Delhi to Gurgaon. Also, he recently bought a new house in Mumbai which is as lavish as it can get.

Virat’s house in Mumbai. Source – thecricketlounge.com

The dining room in Virat’s Mumbai House. Source – thecricketlounge.com