Virat Kohli demeans RCB's IPL triumph with Test cricket message weeks after retirement

Virat Kohli, Tuesday (June 3), enjoyed one of the most special days of his illustrious career as Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally won their maiden IPL title.

RCB beat Punjab Kings by 6 runs in the thrilling IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

RCB finally bagged the title

After 17 years of heartbreak, RCB finally managed to win the title. Virat Kohli has been with the franchise since the inaugural season in 2008, and the win is definitely one of the most special ones of his career. Before winning the final this week, RCB had played three finals and lost all of them.

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Batting first in the title-decider, RCB scored 190/9 in the allotted 20 overs. Virat Kohli's 43 was the highest score by an RCB batsman, while the likes of Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar, Liam Livingstone, and Jitesh Sharma impressed with the bat as well.

In reply, Punjab Kings finished their innings on 184/7 and missed out on their maiden IPL once again. Shashank Singh waged a lone battle with an unbeaten 61 but could not take his team over the finishing line. For RCB, Krunal Pandya impressed with the ball, taking 2 wickets for just 17 runs in his 4 overs and was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Virat Kohli hails Test cricket

Even after the historic IPL triumph, Virat Kohli did not shy away from hailing the Test format as the pinnacle of cricket. The former India batsman, who recently retired from the longest format of the game, said that even though the IPL win is one of the best moments of his career, it is still "five levels" below Test cricket.

"This moment (the IPL win) is right up there with the best moments I've had in my career, but it's still marks five levels under Test cricket," said Kohli after the win.

"That's how much I value Test cricket. That's how much I love Test cricket. I would just urge youngsters coming through to treat that format with respect."

If you want to earn respect in world cricket all over, take up Test cricket - Virat Kohli

"If you perform in Test cricket, you walk around anywhere in the world, people look you in the eye, shake your hand and say 'Well done, you played the game really well.'

"If you want to earn respect in world cricket all over, take up Test cricket, give your heart and soul to it and earn the respect from legends," he added.

Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket last month. He enjoyed an illustrious career in Tests both as a batsman and a captain. Kohli played 123 Tests and scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85 with the help of 30 centuries and 31 fifties. He also led India to 40 wins in 68 Tests while leading the team.

Also Read: RCB blocked from holding victory parade in Bengaluru, here's the full revised plan