After 18 years, Virat Kohli was able to get his hands on the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. In the championship match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated the Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs to claim their first IPL championship. After the RCB won the IPL 2025 season, Kohli, who announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12, spoke about the value of the longest format.

The right-handed batter's decision to end his Test career before the crucial England tour, where India is scheduled to compete in five Tests, stunned many people.

In his 14-year career wearing whites, Kohli concluded his Test career with 123 Tests, during which he amassed 9230 runs at an average of 46.85. He struck 30 centuries and 31 half centuries throughout his Test career.

Following the IPL 2025 championship game, Kohli told former Australia batsman Matthew Hayden that, while the victory meant a lot to him, it was still five steps behind Test cricket.

“The finest moments of my career are right there with this one. But it still has five tiers beneath Test cricket. I place such high importance on test cricket. Test cricket is the extent of my love for it. Therefore, I would simply encourage the future generation to treat that style with respect," Kohli stated.

"Since you may go about anywhere in the world if you play Test cricket, people will look you in the eye, shake your hand, and compliment you on your excellent performance," he continued.

‘Take up Test cricket if you want to earn respect’

According to Kohli, who is the most successful Indian Test captain with 40 victories during his tenure, young players must play Test cricket if they want to gain worldwide respect.

"Therefore, if you want to gain respect in the global cricket community, start playing Test cricket. Give it your entire being. And then, as you leave with awe on the other side, you earn respect in the cricket community among icons like yourselves," Kohli stated.

In the IPL 2025 Final, RCB scored 190/9 in the allotted 20 overs. With a score of 43 off 35 deliveries, Virat Kohli was the franchise's highest scorer.

Then, Krunal Pandya came back and took two wickets for seventeen runs in his four overs, helping RCB win the game by six runs. The important wicket of PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer was captured by Romario Shephard.

When the game ended, Kohli broke down and tried hard not to cry. He was approached by the whole RCB team to rejoice in the win.

Read Also: Virat Kohli Reveals Emotional Moment with AB de Villiers: ‘I Almost Gave Up Before IPL Triumph’

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