Virat Kohli’s IPL retirement ‘wish’ is unacceptable

Just days after leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden IPL title, talks of Virat Kohli moving towards an imminent retirement from the tournament have left fans and pundits divided. For many, the thought of Kohli stepping away now feels premature, even unacceptable, given the kind of form he played this 18th edition of the famed T20 league.

A dream season for a legend

Kohli’s 2025 IPL campaign was nothing short of spectacular as he amassed 657 runs in 15 matches at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 144.71, finishing as RCB’s highest run-scorer and third overall in the tournament.

Further, his consistency, intensity, and leadership were central to RCB’s turnaround this season, culminating in a thrilling six-run win over Punjab Kings in the final at Ahmedabad.

After years of heartbreak, including three painful final losses in 2009, 2011, and 2016, Kohli finally held the trophy that had long eluded him. It was not just a victory, but proof of loyalty, perseverance, and passion.

Sehwag backs an exit, fans not so sure

Former cricketer Virender Sehwag weighed in, saying Kohli has earned the right to step away.

“He can happily stop playing IPL whenever he wants to make that decision. A player plays to win the trophy… And even as Kohli's wait ended, he has still made a very strong contribution to their campaign,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

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Kohli opens up about the future

Kohli himself didn’t rule out retirement in his post-final comments.

“There is an end date to our career… By the time I hang up my boots, I want to sit at home and say I gave it everything I had. So I look for ways to improve,” he said.

At 36, Kohli remains one of the fittest and most driven players in the league. But his words suggest he's thinking ahead, beyond the boundaries, towards closure.

While it’s true that Kohli has nothing left to prove, many believe the IPL still needs him. His presence is magnetic, his form still top-tier, and his journey with RCB, now finally crowned with a title, feels like it could open a new chapter, not end one.

A fairytale ending, it may be. But for fans and Indian cricket at large, the thought of Virat Kohli walking away from the IPL is still too hard to accept.