Kohli’s Crowd Appeal and 9,000 Test Runs Ignite Bengaluru
Indian cricket star Virat Kohli’s passionate appeal to the Bengaluru crowd on Day 5 of the first Test against New Zealand has ignited social media. With India needing 10 wickets to secure victory, Kohli’s animated gestures urging the fans to cheer louder have gone viral.
Kohli’s leadership and influence were evident as he joined an elite group of cricketers by scoring his 9,000th Test run during the match. His fluent 70 on Day 3 showcased his class and determination, especially after being dismissed for a duck in the first innings.
Kohli’s partnership with Sarfaraz Khan (136 runs) revived India’s innings, highlighting his ability to adapt and contribute in different batting positions. His half-century off 70 balls included five boundaries and a majestic six, reaching the 9,000-run milestone in 197 innings.
Kohli’s achievement places him among the greats of the game, becoming the 18th player to reach 9,000 Test runs. He joins Joe Root and Steve Smith as the only active players in this exclusive club, and is the fourth Indian to achieve the feat after Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
Kohli’s next target is to surpass Graeme Smith on the all-time run-scoring list, while within the Indian context, he needs 1,100 more runs to overtake Gavaskar for third place. With two more Tests against New Zealand and a five-Test series in Australia on the horizon, Kohli is poised to continue his ascent in the rankings.
Kohli’s passionate appeal to the crowd and his remarkable achievement on the field have once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the sport and his ability to inspire both his teammates and the fans.