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SPORTS OCTOBER 25, 2024 | The Indian Eye 42

INDIA-NZ TEST SERIES

Virat Kohli joins 9,000-run club in Tests

with stellar knock in Bengaluru

Kohli became the 18th player to score 9,000 runs in Test cricket and joined Joe Root

and Steve Smith as the only active players in this exclusive club

OUR BUREAU
Bengaluru
irat Kohli joined an elite group of cricketers
by scoring his 9,000th run in Test matches
Vduring a fluent 70 on day three of the first
Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru. Kohli,
who batted at No. 3 for the second time in this Test,
turned the tables after being dismissed for a duck in
the first innings on October 17.
Prior to this match, Kohli had last batted at
No. 3 in 2016 and had a modest average of 19.40
in that position. However, he showcased his class
in the second innings, notching up his first Test
half-century since December 2023. Alongside Sar-
faraz Khan, Kohli forged a crucial partnership of
136 runs that revived India’s innings.
Needing 53 runs to surpass the 9,000-run mark,
Kohli reached his half-century off 70 balls, featur-
ing five boundaries and a majestic six off Ajaz Pa-
tel. He then carefully accumulated the additional
three runs needed to reach the milestone, taking a
further nine balls.
According to Wisden, Kohli became the 18th
player to score 9,000 runs in Test cricket and joined
Joe Root and Steve Smith as the only active players
in this exclusive club. He also became the fourth
Indian to achieve this feat, following in the foot-
steps of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil
Gavaskar. Virat Kohli playing a shot during an ODI contest (ANI)
In terms of innings taken to reach 9,000 runs,
Kohli’s 197 innings make him the sixth-slowest to ble questioned the Indian team’s decision to send number three position, [you need] someone like
achieve the milestone. The record for the slowest is star batter Virat Kohli at number three during the Cheteshwar Pujara, who did so well for so many
jointly held by Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Steve first Test against New Zealand, asserting that he is years playing there. [After] 100 Test matches, be-
Waugh, who both took 216 innings. Kumar San- the team’s best batter at the number four spot. cause he would have been there today, then I do
gakkara holds the record for the fastest to 9,000 During the ninth over of the first innings, pac- not think he would have gone looking to hit,”
runs, achieving it in just 172 innings, followed by er William O’Rourke dismissed Virat for a nine- Kumble said.
Smith and Dravid. Kohli is the slowest among the ball duck. After removing skipper Rohit Sharma, “He (Pujara) would have allowed the ball to
Indian players in this group, with Dravid taking 174 New Zealand claimed the crucial wicket of Virat, come on, and that’s where you miss someone with
innings, Tendulkar 179, and Gavaskar 192. as the 35-year-old batter tried to play a delivery just that kind of approach today. And India is certainly
Looking ahead, Kohli’s next target on the all- short of length on off-stump but encountered extra in a spot of bother here,” he added.
time run-scoring list is Graeme Smith, who is cur- bounce. Virat attempted to defend on his toes, but At number four, Virat has scored 7,355 runs
rently over 200 runs ahead as per Wisden. Within the ball caught his top glove before flying towards at an average of 52.53 in 91 Tests and 148 innings,
the Indian context, Kohli needs another 1,100 runs Phillips at leg gully, who took a fine catch. with 25 centuries and 21 fifties. His highest score
to surpass Gavaskar for third place on India’s all- Speaking to JioCinema, Kumble criticised the at this position is 254*. At number three, he has
time run-scorers list. With two more Tests against decision, noting that the team needed someone managed just 97 runs in seven innings, with a poor
New Zealand and a five-Test series in Australia in like Cheteshwar Pujara at number three, whose average of 16.16 and a top score of 41.
December, Kohli is well-positioned to climb higher absence was felt during the game. In four Tests this year, Virat has scored 157
in the rankings by the end of the year. (ANI) “Virat Kohli should have batted at No. 4, he runs in seven innings at an average of 26.16, with
Meanwhile, former Indian spinner Anil Kum- is your number one batter at that position. For the no fifties and a best score of 47.

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