Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli continues to etch his name in the record books while keeping the fans engaged with his fiery presence on the field. During the first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru, Kohli not only led India’s batting revival but also managed to rally the crowd behind the team with his energetic gestures. His performance and passion on Day 5 of the match have gone viral, setting social media abuzz.

Kohli pumps up the Bengaluru crowd

On Day 5 of the Test, India was chasing 10 wickets to secure victory against New Zealand. Jasprit Bumrah gave the team a perfect start, dismissing Tom Latham for a duck early in the innings. It was during this time that Virat Kohli took center stage, gesturing to the Bengaluru crowd, asking them to cheer loudly while Bumrah ran in to bowl. This moment quickly went viral, with fans sharing the clip widely, capturing Kohli's intensity and love for the game.

Kohli’s interaction with the crowd added another layer of excitement to the match, reminding everyone of his ability to unite the fans and motivate the team. His passionate energy was a reflection of the determination that India showed on the field, especially as they aimed to defend their position in the series.

Before his crowd-rallying moment, Virat Kohli had already made headlines during the third day of the Test. The Indian skipper achieved an extraordinary milestone by becoming the 18th player in the history of Test cricket to surpass 9,000 career runs. Kohli notched up 53 runs to reach this landmark, scoring a composed half-century that featured five boundaries and a towering six off spinner Ajaz Patel.

Despite being dismissed for a duck in the first innings, Kohli made a strong comeback in the second, contributing a fluent 70 runs. His efforts, combined with a crucial 136-run partnership with Sarfaraz Khan, breathed life into India’s batting line-up. Kohli’s class and resilience stood out, especially as he batted at the No. 3 position— a spot he hadn’t played in since 2016. His performance further solidified his place among India’s greatest Test players.

Joining an elite group of Indian cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar, Kohli became the fourth Indian to cross the 9,000-run mark in Test cricket. In terms of innings, Kohli took 197 innings to achieve this feat, making him the sixth slowest to do so. Nevertheless, his contribution remains invaluable as he looks ahead to surpass more milestones in the coming months.

Unreal Influence man
The biggest crowd puller the world has ever seen

Thank you Virat Kohli for keeping Test Cricket Alive @imVkohli 🫡❤️

pic.twitter.com/VXVRArAwUk

— 𝘿  (@DilipVK18) October 20, 2024

Looking ahead for more records

With the two remaining Tests against New Zealand and a five-match series scheduled in Australia later this year, Virat Kohli is on track to add to his tally. His next goal would be to surpass Graeme Smith’s total of over 9,200 runs. Moreover, within the Indian context, Kohli needs just over 1,100 runs to leapfrog Sunil Gavaskar and take third place in India’s all-time Test run-scorers list.

Kohli's return to form and his continued hunger for runs, combined with his leadership on and off the field, suggest that more achievements are just around the corner. As India gears up for the remainder of the series, all eyes will be on Kohli to see how far he can climb in the rankings.

See Also: New Zealand register first-ever Test win in India since 1988

Virat Kohli’s contributions during the Bengaluru Test go far beyond the scoreboard. His ability to energize both the team and the fans, coupled with his immense personal milestones, make him one of the game’s greatest ambassadors. As he edges closer to breaking even more records, the cricket world eagerly awaits what comes next from this remarkable player.