‘I love it when Virat Kohli says…’: Ian Botham in awe of Indian icon’s obsession with Test cricket Cricket News

Virat KohliWidely regarded as one of the greatest Test batsmen of his generation, continues to garner acclaim 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, with the England legend recently heaping praise on him. Ian Botham.Kohli brought the curtain down on his illustrious Test career on 12 May 2025, amassing a remarkable legacy as one of India’s most successful Test captains with 9,230 runs in 123 matches. Despite being away from the format, the former India captain has never hidden his emotional attachment to Test cricket and is proud of India’s achievements during his tenure. After finally winning his first IPL title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025, ending an 18-year wait, Kohli made headlines with his honest comments on where success stands in comparison to Test cricket.Kohli said after RCB’s title win, “You know, this moment is up there with the best moments of my career, but it’s still five levels below Test cricket. That’s how much I love Test cricket and that’s how much I value Test cricket.”Former England captain Ian Botham also praised Kohli’s mindset and commitment to the traditional format, saying the Indian superstar’s words perfectly captured his greatness as a cricketer.“I love it when Virat Kohli says that winning a Test match for India means more to him than anything else in the game. For me, that sums it up, even winning the IPL,” Botham said during the 12th edition of the Tiger Pataudi Memorial Lecture jointly organized by the Bengal Club and The Telegraph. “For me, he is definitely one of the best players in Test cricket,” added the England legend.Adding to this, recently, during an RCB podcast, Kohli reflected emotionally on India’s memorable Test tour under his leadership.Kohli said, “I look back at the time when I was able to play Test cricket for so long and lead India through some amazing victories and a golden era in my Test journey.These statements, even after his retirement from the format, illustrate Kohli’s immense respect and passion for Test cricket.