Virat Kohli, though currently on a break from cricket, continues to make headlines. According to a report by Fortune India, Kohli paid an impressive Rs 66 crore in taxes for the financial year 2023-24, making him the highest taxpayer among Indian sportspersons. MS Dhoni and Sachin Tendulkar followed with tax payments of Rs 38 crore and Rs 28 crore, respectively. Other notable names on the list include Sourav Ganguly (Rs 23 crore) and Hardik Pandya (Rs 13 crore). Actor Thalapathy Vijay topped the overall celebrity tax list, paying Rs 80 crore.
Kohli, who is expected to play a key role in India’s upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh starting September 19, has seen remarkable growth in his cricket career. Initially known for his flamboyant style, the Delhi-born batter has evolved into a more calculated and mature player. Former teammate Harbhajan Singh reflected on Kohli’s journey, recalling his fearless attitude during his early career.
In a conversation on Taruwar Kohli’s podcast, Harbhajan shared a memory of a young Kohli expressing confidence after scoring a fifty against a tough spinner, revealing his aggressive mindset. However, Kohli's rise to success wasn’t without challenges. Harbhajan also spoke about Kohli’s struggles during an early Test series in the West Indies, where he faced difficulties against pacer Fidel Edwards. Despite Kohli's self-doubt, Harbhajan predicted his potential to score 10,000 Test runs—an achievement Kohli has since surpassed with extraordinary results.