# Virat Kohli joined West Delhi Cricket Academy on opening day

> Virat Kohli started at West Delhi Cricket Academy on its first day in 1998.
- Title: Virat Kohli joined West Delhi Cricket Academy on opening day
- Summary: Virat Kohli started at West Delhi Cricket Academy on its first day in 1998. Virat Kohli enrolled at West Delhi Cricket Academy on May 30, 1998, when it…
- Keywords: virat kohli, west delhi cricket academy, rajkumar sharma, paschim vihar, 1998, cricket academy, first class cricket, news, india, Virat, Kohli, joined
- Source: mint — https://livemint.com/sports/cricket-news/virat-kohli-joined-west-delhi-cricket-academy-on-its-very-first-day-in-1998-lesser-known-fact-did-you-know-11792587032511.html
- Author: Aachal Maniyar
- Published: 2026-10-21T13:57:29+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: virat kohli, west delhi cricket academy, rajkumar sharma, paschim vihar, 1998, cricket academy, first class cricket, news, india
## First day of academy
Rajkumar Sharma opened West Delhi Cricket Academy in Paschim Vihar on May 30, 1998.
## 250 boys signed up
About 250 boys enrolled on that first day, including a young Virat Kohli.
## Virat Kohli's early years
Virat Kohli was around 9 years old when he joined the academy with his father and brother.
## First impression
Sharma noticed Kohli's flat throw from the boundary and his impatience to train with older boys.
## Academy training
Kohli spent more than four hours a day at the academy before heading to the gym.
## Father's death
Kohli's father passed away during a Ranji Trophy match in December 2006.
## Under-19 World Cup win
Kohli captained India to win the Under-19 World Cup in March 2008.
## Key takeaway

Virat Kohli enrolled at West Delhi Cricket Academy on May 30, 1998, when it opened.