IPL is one of those tournaments which doesn’t really define the greatness of a player, but then if you don’t have a trophy.. something is incomplete. Ask Virat Kohli, who until tonight had everything in his cabinet, but the star in him would just crave for the IPL glory once. And after a wait of 18 long years, RCB did the unthinkable.
Finally an IPL Trophy for Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli got his hands on his first-ever trophy.. a dream that started way back in 2008. Now, the 36-year-old is in the league of the MS Dhoni’s and Rohit Sharma’s of the world — who have 5 and 6 trophies, respectively, in the tournament. The little empty space in his cabinet is finally complete.. and so is the career slam.
| Player | IPL Title | T20 World Cup | World Cup | Champions Trophy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 2025 | 2024 | 2011 | 2013, 2025 |
| MS Dhoni | 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2023 | 2007 | 2011 | 2013 |
| Rohit Sharma | 2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020 | 2007, 2024 | – | 2013, 2025 |
The white-ball legend Virat is, he has won it all. Starting with the 2011 World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy, and now the IPL. The only regret, if at all, could be that this should have come earlier. But all the disappointment of those three lost finals — 2009, 2011 and 2016 is gone now.
All in the Same League?
Perhaps, the fans would think, this would propel him to make a U-turn on his Test retirement as well. One doesn’t know, but there are speculations for sure. Let’s leave it at that for now.
Back in 2011, a young Virat had a tedious task of sticking around when Sachin Tendulkar got out early in the final. He then went on to score 35 from 49 deliveries, to give India hope. Then in CT 2013 final, it was his 43 that took India to 129, in a rain-curtailed match. In 2024 T20 WC final, he was the best batter again, scoring 76 from 59. Then in 2025 CT, he had a rare failure with 1. Tonight it was 43 from 25, that gave RCB this platform.
What do you say about this man! It would be unfair to compare him with Dhoni or Rohit, but then this title puts him slightly above the two in white-ball greatness. Rest, who don’t agree can choose to differ.
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