Is winning the IPL title equivalent to winning in Test cricket? Virat Kohli’s statement will surprise you!

Virat Kohli retired from Test cricket last month. In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 final, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Punjab Kings (PBKS) by six runs. With this victory, RCB claimed their first-ever IPL title. Additionally, Indian batting legend Virat Kohli finally added an IPL trophy to his collection after an 18-year wait.

Kohli has been with RCB since the very first IPL season in 2008. He was also part of the team when they finished as runners-up in 2009, 2011, and 2016.

This year, under the leadership of Rajat Patidar, RCB changed their fortunes and earned the IPL champion title. The RCB captain dedicated the win to the legendary Kohli, who had patiently waited 18 years for this moment. After the victory, Kohli shared his thoughts on how winning the IPL title compares to his successes in Test cricket.

Still Five Levels Below Test Cricket: Virat Kohli on Winning the IPL Trophy

After the match, RCB opener Virat Kohli expressed that he values Test cricket far more than the IPL. While winning the IPL title is one of the best moments of his life, he still considers it to be five levels below Test cricket.

“This victory is as much for the fans as it is for the team. I’ve dedicated my youth, prime years, and experience to this team. I’ve tried to win it every season and given it my all. I never thought this day would come, and I was overwhelmed with emotion after the win,” Kohli said.

“You know, this moment of winning the IPL is definitely among the best moments of my career. But it still ranks five levels below Test cricket. That’s how much I value Test cricket—and that’s how much I love it,” he added.

Kohli also encouraged young players to respect Test cricket, highlighting that excelling in this format earns admiration from fans worldwide.

“So, I would urge the youngsters coming up to treat Test cricket with respect. Because when you perform well in Test cricket, no matter where you go in the world, people look you in the eye, shake your hand, and say, ‘Well done, you played the game really well,’” the former RCB captain said.

Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket last month. The right-handed batsman concluded his career after playing 123 matches for India and finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer for the country in the longest format. Going forward, Kohli will represent India only in ODI cricket.

Meanwhile, Kohli delivered an outstanding performance in IPL 2025. He scored 657 runs in 15 matches, finishing as the top run-scorer for his team and third overall in the tournament. He also hit eight half-centuries during the season.

Sign Up Fast For E2bet And Enjoy A Free Bonus On Your First Registration

• What is E2bet

• How to get free bonuses on e2bet