In a stunning turn of events on the cricketing stage, senior batsman Virat Kohli has eclipsed the revered MS Dhoni, ascending to the position of India’s second-most-capped international cricketer across all formats. This remarkable achievement was marked by his 536th international appearance during the first Test match against the visiting New Zealand team at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium—a cricketing fortress—on a fateful Thursday. MS Dhoni, the iconic former captain, had concluded his illustrious career in 2019 with a total of 535 matches between 2004 and 2019, and now Kohli has decisively taken the mantle.
Since his international debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2008, Kohli’s journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. He boasts an impressive tally, having participated in 116 Tests, 295 ODIs, and a staggering 125 T20Is, carving out an astonishing 27,041 international runs. Adding to his legacy, he has led the Indian team in 213 matches, which break down to 68 Tests, 95 ODIs, and 50 T20Is. With this recent milestone etched into the annals of cricket history, Kohli now finds himself trailing only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who reigns supreme with 664 international appearances from 1989 to 2013. Among the current brigade, Kohli is flanked by the present captain Rohit Sharma, who boasts 486 caps, and the ever-reliable all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, sitting at 346.
Yet, amidst the jubilant celebrations of Kohli’s personal accomplishments, the Indian team braced itself for a tumultuous second day against New Zealand. The batting lineup collapsed spectacularly, crumbling to a meager 46 runs—their third-lowest score in Test history, and the ignominy of being the lowest on home soil. New Zealand’s pace attack, with the likes of William O’Rourke and Matt Henry leading the charge, laid waste to the Indian batting order. Tim Southee set the tone early, claiming the wicket of captain Rohit Sharma, as the decision to bat first in gloomy, overcast conditions backfired dramatically on a pitch that had endured rain and remained under covers. This resulted in an alarming five ducks, including Kohli, alongside Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, KL Rahul, and R Ashwin—all of whom were left floundering against a relentless New Zealand assault.
