Virat Kohli has chased greatness for nearly two decades. In 2025, he finally caught up with it. RCB’s narrow six-run win over Punjab Kings in the IPL final wasn’t just a championship, it was the exhale of a man who had waited 18 seasons, played 267 matches, and carried the weight of unmet expectations.
The moment was raw. Kohli walked the trophy over to the loyal RCB fans, lifting it high. “Loyalty paying rent,” he called it. You could hear the relief in his voice. This was more than just a trophy, it was redemption.
He never left RCB, even when leaving might have seemed easier. That choice says as much about him as his cover drive does.
From Prodigy to Powerhouse
Kohli’s career has followed an arc that few athletes ever match. He arrived in 2008 with promise and today he’s one of the most decorated cricketers in history. Along the way, he grew up in public, not just as a player, but as a person.
The numbers tell part of the story. More than 14,000 runs in ODIs. A record 51 centuries in the format. Over 9,000 Test runs. Nearly 8,700 in the IPL. Each stat is a chapter. Together, they form a narrative of excellence.
Yet it’s not just the volume of runs. It’s how and when he scored them. Need 300 to win? Give Kohli a target and he’ll turn it into a chase. His knack for delivering under pressure earned him the nickname “Chase Master.”
A Leader Who Changed the Game
From 2014 to 2022, Kohli led India in Tests. He didn’t just captain, he transformed. Under his watch, India became a team that expected to win overseas. Series wins in Australia proved that. Fitness standards went up and attitudes shifted.
He brought fire. Sometimes too much. But that fire also lit up the locker room. Players like Bumrah and Siraj often speak of how Kohli’s intensity pushed them further. Captains like Kohli are hard to come by. And their influence is often the deciding factor between success and failure.
Kohli in the Modern Arena
It’s easy to overlook how hard it is to stay great in today’s game. The calendar is packed. T20 leagues pull players in different directions. Social media never stops. And yet, Kohli has managed to stay consistent. He’s been relevant through multiple cricketing eras, from Tendulkar’s farewell to the rise of franchise-first cricket.
He adapted, he improved, he stayed. That’s the sign of a true great. Being able to adapt in the face of change speaks to both skill and mental fortitude, both of which Kohli has in abundance.
Comparisons Are Inevitable
Is he better than Tendulkar? Than Dhoni? Than AB de Villiers or Steve Smith?
It depends on what you value. Tendulkar had unmatched grace. Dhoni brought calm and three ICC trophies. AB had flair, Smith has grit.
But Kohli? He brings all of that, plus unmatched longevity and fire. His ability to dominate across formats and maintain form year after year sets him apart. Not to mention, his fitness levels have arguably extended his peak.
That Elusive Trophy
Until now, critics had one card left to play. No IPL title. That argument is gone. His 2024 season wasn’t just good, it was dominant. 741 runs. An average over 60. Orange Cap winner. Again. If you follow IPL betting India, you’ll understand just how dominant he was.
Now, with that monkey off his back, the conversation changes. He isn’t chasing the greats anymore. He’s sitting with them.
Impact Beyond Numbers
Kohli’s impact can’t be summed up in stats alone, he’s the reason a generation of fans started following cricket again and he made fitness aspirational in Indian sport and young players across disciplines have credited him for setting the bar higher, not just in cricket but in professionalism overall.
He also brought attention to mental health and balance. Taking a break in 2022, at the peak of his career, he spoke openly about burnout and the need to step back, that move, once frowned upon in elite sports, started a broader conversation.
His influence stretches into charity, lifestyle, branding, and even food habits. And through all of it, he remained unapologetically himself, intense, expressive, and unfiltered.
The Global Respect
Kohli’s reputation isn’t confined to Indian fans, players around the world speak of him with admiration, from Kane Williamson to Joe Root, from AB de Villiers to David Warner. His peers recognize not only his skill but his relentless work ethic.
In Australia, a nation that once jeered him, he earned their applause. In England, where patience is rare for visiting batters, he turned boos into respect. And in South Africa, he fought tough battles with both bat and voice.
Few cricketers command that kind of global respect. Even fewer maintain it for as long. Kohli did both, which is one of the main reasons why he’s considered among cricket royalty.
What’s Next?
At 36, Kohli is not done. He still plays with the hunger of a debutant. The 2025 Champions Trophy and the 2026 T20 World Cup are within his grasp. Whether he chases them or chooses to step away, he leaves behind a blueprint for what modern cricket greatness looks like.
Whatever comes next, one thing is clear. Kohli’s legacy is secure. Not just because of the numbers, the trophies, or the centuries. But because he changed the game, on and off the field.
A Final Thought
Greatness isn’t always flashy, it’s built in the quiet hours, the early workouts, the painful losses and the comebacks. Kohli’s story has all of that. He had always shown promise, but it was only through his own grit and determination that he was able to cement himself as one of the world’s finest cricketers.
You don’t have to call him the greatest, but if you make a list and his name isn’t in your top three, look again. Because no matter how you measure it, runs, impact, legacy, Virat Kohli has earned his place at the very top.
