Virender Sehwag compares Virat Kohli's 18-year wait for IPL trophy to Sachin Tendulkar's long wait for World Cup win

Former India opener Virender Sehwag recently spoke about Virat Kohli’s long journey to finally winning an IPL trophy. Kohli won the IPL title in 2025 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), ending 18 years of heartbreak. They defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final by 6 runs to win the elusive cup.

Sehwag draws parallel between Kohli and Tendulkar’s long wait

Virender Sehwag said Virat Kohli's wait reminded him of how long it took for legendary India batter Sachin Tendulkar to win a World Cup. Tendulkar’s wait for a World Cup ended in 2011 when India defeated Sri Lanka on home soil to win their second 50-over championship. Both Sehwag and Kohli were part of that win in 2011.

“His (Kohli’s) wait to win the trophy is only 18 years. Sachin Tendulkar waited from 1989 to 2011. So, Kohli’s wait was shorter, and 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.

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Sehwag on Kohli’s future in IPL

Sehwag further stated that now Kohli has won the IPL and can relax and take his own call on when to stop playing in the league. Kohli has already retired from T20Is and Test cricket and will only be seen in ODIs for India. However, he is expected to play the IPL for a couple more years, considering his fitness level and lack of international duty.

“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. Even as Kohli’s wait ended, he has still made a very strong contribution in their campaign,” Sehwag added.

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Kohli had been part of the RCB squad since the start of the IPL in 2008 and stayed loyal to the team through all ups and downs. His victory in IPL 2025 made it an emotional moment not just for him but also for his fans. Kohli is the only player from that original batch of 2008 to have played for just one team.