Even after retiring from Test cricket, Virat Kohli remains its greatest well-wisher. He has done more in the white-ball formats, but the white Test jersey has remained the dearest to his heart. Kohli has always been a fan of Test cricket. He recently, during IPL 2025, retired from the format, but still referred to it as the pinnacle of the game. This followed after he finally won his first-ever IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), after waiting for 18 years. Following the IPL final, Kohli was emotional. He sat on the ground crying, having longed for something for years and finally it had happened. But when it was time to talk, Kohli didn't merely discuss the IPL victory. He also talked passionately about his passion for Test cricket. After winning IPL 2025, Virat Kohli said: "You know, this moment is right up there with the best moments I’ve had in my career. But it still marks five levels under Test cricket. That’s how much I value Test cricket. And that’s how much I love Test cricket. So I would just urge the youngsters coming through to treat that format with respect." Kohli always supported his words with actions. Unless he was injured or there was a personal reason, he never skipped a Test match. With him as their captain, India became one of the greatest Test teams in history. He established a robust four-man pace attack and won numerous clutch matches, including five big Test victories abroad. As per Kohli, it is wonderful to win the World Cup or the IPL, but respect only comes from what you achieve in Test cricket. And even today, post-his retirement, he still has faith in that. He added: “Because 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. So if you want to earn respect in world cricket all over, take up Test cricket and give your heart and soul to it. And when you walk out with wonders on the other side, then you gain respect in the cricket world with legends like yourself. Melting our hearts on the field and off the field."