- Thursday, April 18, 2024
By: Sattwik Biswal
THE Indian team responded really well to their captain’s call when Virat Kohli told his teammates to give England “hell” during the hosts’ fourth innings in the second innings at Lord’s.
A video clip has emerged where Kohli is seen giving instructions to the players in a team huddle by the boundary.
India declared their second innings on 298 for 8 shortly after lunch on the final day – setting a target of 272 runs in a minimum of 60 overs.
“For 60 overs they should feel hell out there,” Kohli could be heard saying in the team huddle, before England’s hapless innings began where they lost both their openers, Rory Burns and Dom Sibley in two overs.
During that passage of play, Kohli was charged up and could be seen involved in frequent exchange of words with England batsmen, especially with Ollie Robinson before the hosts were bowled out for 121 in 51.5 overs.
Once India clinched the match by 151 runs to go one up in the series, quick hand shakes were done with England head coach Chris Silverwood denying any sort of animosity between the two sides.
“The two teams go hard on the park,” Silverwood was quoted as saying. He added: “Behind the scenes we seem to get on fine. I don’t see any problems there. I just think it’s played by two very passionate groups of people that want to do well for their country and are very proud of playing for their country. And I think that’s what we’re seeing.”
With the advantage now with India, Kohli’s side would be eyeing a series win, which would be a fourth one in England, after previous victories in 1971, 1986 and 2007.
This Indian side has already won two series in Australia and a series in England could very well prove their mettle and class in Test cricket away from home.
