Kohli waited only 18 years, Tendulkar's wait was even longer: Virender Sehwag
"Now, he can be relieved. He can happily stop playing IPL whenever he wants to make that decision," Virender Sehwag said after Virat Kohli won his maiden IPL title after 18 years.
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ended their 18-year wait for an elusive maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title on Tuesday, June 3, as they defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad by six runs. RCB's talismanic batter Virat Kohli was on his haunches after the win as he had persevered through all the setbacks with the franchise since day one.
While experts and fans are still celebrating Kohli's maiden IPL triumph, Virender Sehwag compared his long wait with Sachin Tendulkar, mentioning how the former India batter had to wait even longer to achieve his ODI World Cup dream. Tendulkar made his international debut and played five ODI World Cups and emerged victorious in only his sixth and final attempt in 2011.
“His (Kohli) wait to win the trophy for only 18 years. Sachin Tendulkar waited from 1989 till 2011. So, Kohli's wait for lesser, and still even Sachin never lost hope. He had made up his mind, he would only bow out with a World Cup trophy in his hand,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
“It's the same for Virat Kohli. Now, he can be relieved. He can happily stop playing IPL whenever he wants to make that decision. A player plays to win the trophy. Money comes and goes, but winning trophies isn't easy. And even as Kohli's wait ended, he has still made a very strong contribution in their campaign,” added the former India opener.
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The 36-year-old Kohli finished as the highest run-getter for RCB in IPL 2025 and third overall. In 15 matches, he scored 657 runs at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71. He top-scored for RCB in the first innings, scoring a 35-ball 43, as the Rajat Patidar-led side finished on 190/9. In reply, Punjab could only manage 184/7, with Shashank Singh smashing a valiant 61 not out off 30 balls. Krunal Pandya won the Player of the Match award after bagging two wickets for 17 runs in his four overs.
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