WATCH: Virat Kohli Energizes Bengaluru Crowd As India Defends 106 On Day 5 Against New Zealand

Bengaluru – In a familiar scene at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Virat Kohli rallied the home crowd on Sunday, urging fans to cheer louder as India defended a modest target of 106 runs on Day 5 of the thrilling first Test against New Zealand.

Standing in the slip cordon, Kohli was animated throughout, reacting passionately to every play and miss from the New Zealand batters. At one point, he stepped away from his position, gesturing to the crowd to keep their energy high, which was met with thunderous applause.

New Zealand’s chase began on a tense note, with captain Tom Latham falling in the very first over. Jasprit Bumrah struck with a brilliant inswinger, trapping Latham in front. The New Zealand skipper wasted a review, as the on-field call stood.

Although India’s pace duo of Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj bowled a fiery extended spell, New Zealand’s Will Young and Devon Conway managed to survive the first hour without further damage, holding the fort in what promised to be a tense final day of play.

Virat Kohli Surpasses MS Dhoni To Become India’s Second-Most Capped International Cricketer