Virat Kohli touched by the 'sweet gesture' in the team hotel

India entered the second day’s play with the overnight score of 19/0 in four overs. Indian openers couldn’t stay for long time as the visiting team lost two quick wickets for 50 runs. The onus was on the most trusted batsmen Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli to take India to a good position.

Both the batsmen added 92 runs for the third wicket. In the process, Virat Kohli achieved his personal milestone of 6000 Test runs. He became the second fastest Indian after Sunil Gavaskar to reach the milestone. The Indian skipper needed just six runs to reach there and he did it comfortably.

Virat Kohli’s stay at the crease was shortened by Sam Curran as he sent the skipper packing for 46 runs. With his wicket, India started to collapse. Ben Stokes picked Rahane in front of stumps. Pant couldn’t open his account for 29 balls before getting out to comeback man Moeen Ali.

The English spinner tool a six-fer when he last bowled at the same venue in 2014 series. Ali continued his success in Southampton by picking Hardik Pandya, Ravi Ashwin and Mohammed Shami’s wickets in the gap of just two overs. India was staring at 195/8 and were almost ready to concede lead to English side. But, Pujara with the help of Ishant and Bumrah changed gears to take India to a respectable total. In the process, Pujara completed his 15th Test century. India managed to get a 27-run lead.

After reaching the team hotel, the Indian skipper Virat Kohli got a surprise from the hotel staff for completing 6000 Test runs. He took to Twitter and wrote a message, “What a sweet gesture by the staff at the Harbour hotel in Southampton. Great Hospitality.” In the picture posted by Kohli, the hotel staff has a message for the skipper which read, “Huge congratulations on your 6000 runs from all the team at Southampton Harbour Hotel.”

Here his tweet: