Sehwag says Kohli can retire without regrets: what 18 years of wait means

Virat Kohli's 18-year wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) title finally ended when Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched the trophy by defeating Punjab Kings by six runs. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag drew a poignant comparison between Kohli's journey and Sachin Tendulkar's long wait for an ODI World Cup, which Tendulkar won in 2011 after years of perseverance.

Sehwag emphasized the emotional weight of such waits in cricket, noting, "Tendulkar's wait for an ODI World Cup trophy was even longer, and still, he never lost hope." This parallel highlights Kohli's resilience and dedication throughout his career.

Kohli's performance in the 2025 IPL season was remarkable, finishing as the third-highest run-scorer with 657 runs in 15 matches. This stellar form underlined his continued value to the team and the sport.

Reflecting on Kohli's future, Sehwag remarked that the star batsman can now be "relieved and retire without regrets, whenever he makes the decision." This statement acknowledges Kohli's fulfillment of a long-standing career goal and his readiness to step away on his own terms.

Kohli's triumph is not just a personal milestone but a testament to persistence in professional sports, inspiring many who face long waits for success.

Virat Kohli ended his 18-year wait for an IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory, drawing praise from Virender Sehwag who compared it to Sachin Tendulkar's long wait for an ODI World Cup. Sehwag said Kohli can retire without regrets anytime, highlighting his stellar 2025 season performance.