Virat Kohli joins exclusive club as fourth Indian to reach 9,000 Test runs

Former captain Virat Kohli has made history as the fourth Indian cricketer to score 9,000 Test runs. The 35-year-old reached this milestone on Day 3 of the ongoing Test against New Zealand on Friday, October 18, at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Before this match, Kohli had appeared in 115 Tests, accumulating 8,947 runs at an average of 48.89, with 30 fifties and 29 centuries to his name. During India's second innings, the right-handed batter displayed solid form and brought up his fifty. He reached this milestone by taking a single off the fourth ball of the 42nd over.

Sachin Tendulkar remains India’s all-time leading run-scorer, having amassed 15,921 runs in 200 Tests at an average of 53.78, which includes 68 fifties and 51 centuries.

Former coach Rahul Dravid occupies the second spot with 13,265 runs from 163 Tests, averaging 52.63 with 63 half-centuries and 36 hundreds. Sunil Gavaskar ranks third, with 10,122 runs in 125 matches at an average of 51.12, featuring 45 fifties and 34 centuries.

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50s from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Sarfaraz Khan stage India’s fightback on Day 3 against New Zealand

The hosts were bowled out for just 46 in their first innings, marking their third-lowest total in Test history. In reply, the Black Caps piled up 402 runs in their first innings, establishing a hefty lead of 356 runs, fueled by an outstanding century from Rachin Ravindra (134). Devon Conway (91) and Tim Southee (65) also made significant contributions.

Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed 35 runs off 52 balls, while skipper Rohit Sharma showcased his form with a solid half-century, scoring 52 runs off 63 balls, including eight boundaries and one six for India in the second innings.

At the time of writing, Virat Kohli and Sarfaraz Khan had formed an unbeaten partnership of 119 runs off 127 balls for the third wicket. The hosts stood at 214 for two after 43 overs, trailing by 142 runs, with both Kohli and Sarfaraz on 62.