NEW DELHI After 18 long years of near misses and heartbreaks, Virat Kohli finally led Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their first-ever Indian Premier League title, sealing a tense six-run victory over Punjab Kings in a pulsating final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday night.As the last ball was bowled and victory was confirmed, Kohli’s emotions overflowed. Tears streamed down his face as he hugged his wife, Anushka Sharma, and placed a kiss on her forehead to mark his happiness.Speaking to broadcasters, Kohli also credited Anushka for the role she played in his IPL-winning moment that came after 18 years.“Watching us just miss out. What your life partner does for you to be able to play — the sacrifices, the commitment, and just backing you through thick and thin — is something you can’t explain in words,” Kohli said.“Only when you play professionally do you understand the many things that go on behind the scenes and what they go through as well. What Anushka has gone through emotionally — watching me being down and out, coming to games, being so connected with Bangalore (she’s a Bangalore girl as well), and being connected to RCB — this is very, very special for her, and she’s going to be so, so proud. Thank you,” he added.Kohli remains a firm advocate for Test cricket, once again expressing his opinion about youngsters playing the longest format after Royal Challengers Bengaluru ended their 18-year-long drought to win the IPL title.Kohli announced his retirement during the 2025 IPL season and will not be part of the side facing England for five Test matches over the next two months. His last appearance in the format came against Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25.Kohli believes there is nothing more important than playing Test cricket and said that only after performing in the longest format will the world truly respect a player for his game.“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. Because if you perform in Test cricket, you walk around anywhere in the world, people look you in the eye and 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 to the cricket world with legends like yourself melting our hearts on the field and off the field,” Kohli said on Tuesday.Kohli bid adieu to his Test career with 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an impressive average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. He wrapped up his Test career as the fourth-most successful Test captain overall with 40 wins, behind Graeme Smith (53 wins), Ricky Ponting (48 wins), and Steve Waugh (41 wins). He also holds the record for the most Test hundreds by an Indian captain, with 20 tons — far ahead of Sunil Gavaskar’s 11 centuries.
