Virat Kohli, currently taking a break from cricket, is expected to play a significant role in India's upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19. Despite being away from the game, Kohli continues to make headlines. According to a report by Fortune India, Kohli paid a staggering Rs 66 crore in taxes for the financial year 2023-24, making him the highest taxpayer among sportspersons in India. Following him are MS Dhoni, who paid Rs 38 crore, and Sachin Tendulkar, who contributed Rs 28 crore in taxes.
Other notable names on the list include Sourav Ganguly, who paid Rs 23 crore, and Hardik Pandya, with Rs 13 crore. The list highlights the top celebrity taxpayers, with actor Thalapathy Vijay leading the overall list by paying Rs 80 crore in taxes.
Reflecting on Kohli’s cricket journey, he wasn’t always the mature and strategic batter he is today. Born in Delhi, Kohli initially displayed a flamboyant style, which over time has evolved into a more calculated and situational approach. Former teammate Harbhajan Singh, who played with Kohli during his early days, reminisced about the young cricketer’s confidence and growth.
Harbhajan shared an anecdote about Kohli's early career during a chat on Taruwar Kohli's podcast. He recalled how Kohli, after scoring a fifty against a challenging spinner, expressed his desire to have "smashed him more," showcasing his fearless attitude.
However, Kohli's path to success wasn't without challenges. Harbhajan revealed that during an early Test series in the West Indies, Kohli struggled against the pace of Fidel Edwards, leading to self-doubt. Harbhajan encouraged him, predicting that Kohli had the potential to score 10,000 Test runs—a prediction that has since been realised in spectacular fashion.