Virat Kohli has finally lifted the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy in the 18th season finale of the cash-rich T20 league as his team Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) trounced Punjab Kings by 6 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

Kohli top-scored for his team with a patient 43 off 35 balls to lay the foundation for RCB's innings after they were asked to bat first by Punjab Kings. With Mayank Agarwal (24 off 18 balls), captain Rajat Patidar (26 off 16 balls), Liam Livingstone (25 off 15 balls), and Jitesh Sharma (24 off 10 balls) making valuable contributions, RCB posted enough runs on the board for their bowlers to defend.

Though PBKS got off to a good start with their openers Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh sharing a 43-run partnership, and Josh Inglis (39 off 23 balls) and Shashank Singh (61 off 30 balls) providing further impetus, they eventually fell short of the target by 6 runs.

For Kohli, who has been playing for RCB since the inaugural season of IPL in 2008, it was an emotional moment. He won the IPL, considered the most competitive T20 league in the world, after a prolonged wait and three unsuccessful finals in 2009, 2011, and 2016.

He was the highest run-getter for RCB, having scored 657 runs from 15 matches at an average of 54.75.

After the match, Kohli spoke about how much the win meant to him: "This win is as much for the fans as it is for the team. I've given this team my youth, prime and experience. Tried to win it every season, gave it everything I can. Never thought this day would come, was overcome with emotion after we won."

When asked about Test cricket, Kohli was clear in his opinion. "You know, this moment (winning IPL) 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."

Last month, Kohli bade farewell to Test cricket, ending his 14-year-long career in the longest format of the game. He scored 9,230 runs from 123 Tests at an average of 46.85. He finished as India's fourth-highest run-getter in Test cricket.

Talking about the significance of Test cricket, Kohli said, "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 the respect of the cricket world," he added.

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