India’s cricket icon Virat Kohli added another impressive milestone to his storied career on Friday when he crossed the 9,000-run mark in Test cricket. Kohli achieved this feat during the second innings of the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The landmark came after he passed 53 runs, and in doing so, he joined an elite group of Indian cricketers, becoming the fourth from the country to reach this milestone. Only Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid had accomplished the feat before him.
Kohli, who is known for his dominance across all formats, achieved this landmark in his 197th Test innings, making him the fourth-fastest Indian and the 13th-fastest player overall to reach 9,000 runs in the longest format of the game. He has now played 116 Test matches, accumulating 9,000 runs at a solid average of 48.91. Kohli’s stellar career has seen him notch up 29 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
India’s Test Run-Scoring Legends
The list of Indian cricketers with the highest number of Test runs is topped by Sachin Tendulkar, who scored 15,921 runs, followed by Rahul Dravid with 13,288 runs, and Sunil Gavaskar, who accumulated 10,122 runs during his career. Kohli now stands fourth on this illustrious list with 9,000 runs. His consistency and resilience over the years have placed him among the greats of Indian cricket, and his latest achievement further cements his legacy in the sport.
-Most Test Runs for India
– 15,921 – Sachin Tendulkar
– 13,288 – Rahul Dravid
– 10,122 – Sunil Gavaskar
– 9,000* – Virat Kohli
Speaking about his performance in the ongoing Test match, Kohli’s second-innings effort was a significant improvement over his first. In the first innings, Kohli had been dismissed for a duck, but he made a strong comeback in the second innings, scoring a vital half-century. His partnership with Sarfaraz Khan proved crucial as the two batsmen helped India fight back from a challenging position. Their stand was essential in reducing the deficit left by India’s underwhelming performance in the first innings.
India’s Struggles in the First Innings
India’s performance in the first innings of the Bengaluru Test was nothing short of a disaster. The team was bowled out for a mere 46 runs, setting an unfortunate record as the lowest team total in India and Asia. None of the Indian batsmen, apart from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 13, and Rishabh Pant, who managed 20, could even reach double figures. The New Zealand bowlers, especially their pace attack led by Tim Southee, wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup, leaving the home side in disarray.
The early collapse in the first innings placed immense pressure on India, and Kohli’s failure to get off the mark added to their woes. However, the second innings told a different story. Kohli’s return to form and his composed approach helped India rebuild. His partnership with Sarfaraz Khan not only stabilized the innings but also injected much-needed confidence into the team. Together, they aimed to overcome the massive 350-run deficit created by New Zealand’s commanding first-innings performance.
Kohli’s Resilience Shines Through
Kohli’s ability to bounce back after a poor start exemplifies his mental toughness and commitment to the team’s cause. His half-century in the second innings came at a crucial juncture, when India needed stability and leadership. Kohli has built a reputation as a player who thrives under pressure, and his performance in Bengaluru was another example of his ability to turn things around when the team needed it most.
Speaking about his mindset, Kohli has often highlighted the importance of staying calm and focused, particularly after failures. In the past, he has shared, “The key is to not let one bad innings affect your confidence. You have to trust your game and believe that the next opportunity will bring success.” This philosophy has helped him maintain consistency over the years and continues to guide him through tough situations.
Kohli’s partnership with Sarfaraz Khan proved to be the turning point in India’s second innings. Sarfaraz, a promising young player, showed great composure alongside Kohli, and the two batsmen complemented each other well. Their efforts provided India with the stability needed to counter New Zealand’s bowling attack.
New Zealand’s Dominant Start
New Zealand, under the captaincy of Tom Latham, had a firm grip on the match after the first innings. Their disciplined bowling, combined with India’s collapse, gave the visitors a commanding lead. The Kiwis had also performed well with the bat, putting up a solid total in their first innings. Players like Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell contributed significantly to New Zealand’s strong position in the match.
In their bowling attack, Tim Southee led from the front with a magnificent display of swing and seam bowling. His ability to extract movement off the pitch troubled the Indian batsmen, and his experience proved invaluable. Alongside Southee, Matt Henry and Ajaz Patel also played key roles in dismantling India’s batting lineup in the first innings.
Team Compositions
India fielded a strong playing eleven, led by Rohit Sharma. The team included experienced players like KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rishabh Pant, alongside rising stars such as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan. However, despite the presence of several world-class players, India struggled to put up a competitive total in the first innings.
India Playing 11: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
New Zealand, led by Tom Latham, also fielded a balanced side. Their lineup included a mix of experienced campaigners and young talent, which proved effective in countering India. Notable names in their squad included Devon Conway, Tim Southee, and Ajaz Patel, all of whom played pivotal roles in the team’s performance.
New Zealand Playing 11: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (w), Glenn Phillips, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, William O’Rourke.
