Bagpiper Virat Kohli riles up fans at Chinnaswamy stadium as India breath fire to defend 107

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Virat Kohli put the best of Bollywood directors to shame by literally orchestrating a stunning crowd work as India came out to defend 107 runs on Day 5 of the first Test against New Zealand.

After a delayed start due to a wet outfield, India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah dismissed New Zealand captain Tom Latham for a duck in the first over to set the tone for the action to follow.

Kohli, the adopted son of Bengaluru and a demigod in the city, also joined and played his part from the slip cordon. He donned the hat of a bagpiper, and made the Chinnaswamy crowd dance to his command, and quite literally.

He would rile up the fans as the pacers steamed through their run-ups. Nervous Kiwi batters felt the heat and the top-class pace bowling from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj just added to the drama.

A jeering crowd, Bumrah steering through his run-up, and Conway missing and surviving the bolters - it was absolute cinema at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Ian Smith in the commentary box was heard saying, "Virat Kohli is exhorting this crowd all the time".

Harsha Bhogle, who was having his own banter with the New Zealander in the commentary box, quipped saying it's Bengaluru and it's Kohli's crowd.

Our senior reporter Avinash Sharma, who has been closely covering the thrilling Test match, also talked about the emotions of fans at the buzzing venue.

"Chants of "Bumrah, Bumrah" echoed throughout, and when Siraj took the ball for his opening over, he too was met with thunderous applause. The decibel levels rose with each stride of his run-up, peaking as he released the ball. On his second delivery, an appeal for LBW against Devon Conway united the crowd in anticipation, only for the edge to deny the wicket," Avinash wrote in his quick text message from Chinnaswamy.

"As Conway and Will Young dug in to weather the Bumrah-Siraj assault, to slow the game's pace, Virat Kohli's signature gestures revved up the crowd even more. Fans responded with booming chants of "India, India," creating an atmosphere that could easily be mistaken for an IPL match. Although the Chinnaswamy stands weren't as packed as they are during limited-overs games, the passion and noise from the crowd made it feel every bit as intense," he added.

India are looking to defend their joint-lowest target in the history of Test cricket after being bundled out for 46 in the first innings. They defended a 107-run target against Australia in 2004.