![\"'I](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-131366837,imgsize-583249,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/131366837.jpg\" "\\"Virat")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nVirat Kohli<\/a>, widely regarded as one of the greatest Test batters of his generation, continues to earn admiration for his deep love and passion for the longest format of the game. Even after retiring from Test cricket in May 2025, Kohli has repeatedly spoken about how much the format means to him, something that recently drew huge praise from England legend Ian Botham<\/a>.Kohli brought down the curtain on his illustrious Test career on May 12, 2025, finishing with 9,230 runs in 123 matches along with a remarkable legacy as one of India\u2019s most successful Test captains. Despite stepping away from the format, the former India skipper has never hidden his emotional connection to Test cricket and the pride he takes in India\u2019s achievements during his era. Moments after finally winning his maiden IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025, ending an 18-year wait, Kohli made headlines with his honest remarks about where the achievement stood in comparison to Test cricket.\u201cYou 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,\u201d Kohli had said after RCB\u2019s title triumph.Former England captain Ian Botham also lauded Kohli\u2019s mindset and commitment to the traditional format, saying the Indian superstar\u2019s words perfectly captured his greatness as a cricketer.\u201cI 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,\u201d Botham said during the 12th edition of the Tiger Pataudi Memorial Lecture, organised jointly by The Bengal Club and The Telegraph. \u201cFor me, he is certainly one of the finest players in Test cricket,\u201d the England legend added.Adding to it, more recently, during an RCB podcast, Kohli reflected emotionally on India\u2019s memorable Test journey under his leadership.\u201cI 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,\u201d Kohli said.These statements, even after his retirement from the format, underline Kohli\u2019s immense respect and passion for Test cricket.<\/div>\n