For 18 long years, the Indian Premier League trophy remained the glaring asterisk in Virat Kohli’s otherwise dazzling cricketing resume. He had conquered international cricket, lifted World Cups, and shattered batting records with astonishing regularity. Yet, the coveted IPL title, with his beloved Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), eluded him. The question on everyone’s mind has always been: what next for Virat Kohli? Until now.
The “Unfulfilled Legacy” is Complete: What Now?
The emphatic victory of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025, culminating in a thrilling final against Punjab Kings, has finally filled that void. The images of an emotional, teary-eyed Kohli, lifting the trophy that he had dedicated his “youth, prime, and experience” to, will be etched in cricketing folklore. The “unfulfilled legacy” is now gloriously complete, but it immediately begs the question: What’s next for Virat Kohli?
At 36, and having already announced his retirement from Test cricket and T20 Internationals, Kohli’s current focus is squarely on the white-ball formats, particularly the IPL. His performance in IPL 2025, where he was RCB’s leading run-scorer and secured the Orange Cap (though Sai Sudharsan won it ultimately), demonstrates that the hunger and ability remain undiminished. He himself stated after the final, “This is the team I’m going to play for till the last day I play the IPL.” This declaration comes as a massive relief to RCB fans who might have feared a fairytale ending leading to a complete swansong.
However, Kohli’s comments also carried a poignant undertone: “Well, I have an opportunity to play this game for not many years. So there is an end date to our career, as you know. And by the time that I hang up my boots, I want to sit at home and say I gave it everything I had.” This isn’t a man contemplating immediate retirement, but one who is acutely aware of the finite nature of his career and intends to squeeze every last drop of performance from himself.
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The Road Ahead: Loyalty, Impact, and a Different Kind of Legacy
With the IPL trophy secured, Kohli’s future within the league will undoubtedly revolve around continuing to be a central figure for RCB. His unwavering loyalty to the franchise, a rarity in the age of player mobility, has been a defining characteristic of his IPL journey. Now, it’s a loyalty rewarded with the ultimate prize.
He also vehemently rejected the idea of becoming an “Impact Player,” emphasizing his desire to field for all 20 overs and contribute in every aspect of the game. This speaks volumes about his commitment to fitness and his all-around contribution, even as he enters the twilight of his career.
Internationally, with Test and T20I commitments behind him, Kohli’s focus will likely narrow further to the ODI format, especially with the 2027 World Cup still on the horizon. While the IPL win was monumental, he surprisingly ranked it “five levels below Test cricket,” reiterating his profound respect for the longest format and encouraging youngsters to embrace it. This reflects a shift in his public statements, perhaps a greater introspection on the game as a whole now that a significant personal hurdle has been cleared.
The next few IPL seasons for Virat Kohli will be about cementing a different kind of legacy – one of sustained excellence, leadership by example, and a complete embrace of the franchise that he has dedicated so much to. He is no longer chasing the elusive trophy; he is now a champion. And as he continues to play, he will do so with the freedom and joy that comes from having finally fulfilled a long-held dream, inspiring a new generation to pursue their own. The unfulfilled legacy is now a story of ultimate triumph, and the next chapter promises to be just as compelling. So, what next for Virat Kohli? A continued reign of dominance, but this time, with the added gleam of an IPL trophy.
