Virat Kohli has reached a significant milestone in his cricketing career by becoming the fourth Indian batter to score 9,000 runs in Test cricket.
This achievement came during India’s first Test against New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on October 18, 2024.
Kohli’s landmark moment occurred while batting in India’s second innings, where he scored 70 runs, marking his first half-century of the year.
Milestone Achievement
Kohli reached the 9,000-run mark after scoring his 53rd run, joining an elite group that includes legends Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.
He is now the 18th player overall to achieve this feat in Test cricket. However, it took him 197 innings to reach this milestone, making him the slowest among the four Indian cricketers to do so.
For comparison, Dravid reached 9,000 runs in 176 innings, Tendulkar in 179 innings, and Gavaskar in 192 innings.
How is Kohli’s Performance so far?
Kohli’s innings were particularly crucial as India faced a daunting challenge after being bowled out for just 46 runs in their first innings—their lowest total at home.
New Zealand had set a formidable target by scoring 402 runs, led by Rachin Ravindra’s century.
Kohli’s performance in the second innings was a much-needed boost for India as they sought to recover from their initial collapse.
Despite starting slowly—taking 14 balls to get off the mark—Kohli settled into a rhythm alongside Sarfaraz Khan, who also contributed significantly to the innings.
Their partnership helped stabilize India’s batting as they aimed to chase down a substantial deficit.
Kohli’s Recent Form
Kohli’s journey to 9,000 runs has not been without challenges. His performance in Tests had been under scrutiny due to a dip in form between 2019 and 2022, where he averaged only 26.2.
However, he showed improvement in 2023 with an average of 55.9 before this match.
His ability to bounce back after a disappointing first innings, where he was dismissed for a duck, demonstrates his resilience and determination.
