Virat Kohli, often spoken of as one of the defining Test batters of his era, has never concealed how deeply he feels about cricket’s longest format. Even after he stepped away from Test cricket in May 2025, Kohli continued to return to the same theme—his affection for the grind, the standards, and what Test success means to him. That emotional attachment has once again drawn admiration from England great Ian Botham, who praised the clarity with which Kohli has always described his priorities.
Kohli formally ended his distinguished Test career on May 12, 2025. Over 123 matches, he amassed 9,230 runs, leaving behind a legacy not only as one of India’s most productive batters, but also as a captain who delivered results and shaped an era. While his retirement marked the conclusion of his time in Tests, it did not mute his bond with the format, and he consistently framed India’s accomplishments during his leadership as something he still holds with real pride.
The contrast between formats came into sharper focus soon after Kohli achieved a major landmark in the IPL. After finally winning his first IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025—ending an 18-year wait—he addressed how he viewed that triumph when compared to his Test journey. In the immediate aftermath of Bengaluru’s title success, Kohli was candid about where the IPL moment sits in his personal hierarchy, explaining that while it was among the finest achievements of his career, it did not replace the meaning of Test cricket for him.
“You know, this moment is right up there with the best moments I have had in my career, but it still ranks five levels below Test cricket. That is how much I love Test cricket and that is how much I value Test cricket,” Kohli said following RCB’s championship win.
Botham, who has been one of the most influential voices in appreciating the mindset required for Tests, responded positively to Kohli’s perspective. He highlighted Kohli’s belief that winning for India in Tests matters more than anything else in the sport—even when measured against the satisfaction of lifting the IPL trophy. Botham shared that view during the 12th Tiger Pataudi Memorial Lecture, an event jointly organised by The Bengal Club and The Telegraph.
“I love it when Virat Kohli says winning Test matches for India means more to him than anything else in the game. That, for me, sums him up, even including winning the IPL,” Botham said. He added, “For me, he is certainly one of the finest players in Test cricket,” reinforcing the belief that Kohli’s greatness is most clearly expressed in the traditional format.
More recently, Kohli offered another emotional reflection on the Test chapter of his life while speaking on an RCB podcast. He looked back on the longevity of his Test career, the experiences of leading India through memorable victories, and what it felt like to be part of a group that shared a hunger to play Tests for their country. Kohli described that period as a special collective run, shaped by young players who had the chance to live out something they had always dreamed of.
“I looked back at the time I was able to play Test cricket for so long and lead India through some amazing victories and a golden era in our Test journey. We were a bunch of young guys who always wanted to play Test cricket for India, and we got the opportunity of our lives together as a group,” Kohli said.
Taken together, Kohli’s comments—coming even after his retirement from Tests—serve as a reminder of how much respect and passion he continues to carry for the longest format. For a player whose name is inseparable from modern Indian cricket, it is Test cricket that remains the deepest emotional benchmark, even after IPL glory arrived.
