India had thrashed England by 151 runs at Lord's last year.
However, India’s performance in the four Tests against England in 2021 is still remembered by the fans and cricket pundits alike. Under Virat Kohli’s captaincy, the visitors had defeated England at Lord’s and the Oval to take an unbeatable 2-1 lead in the five-match series.
Veteran India batter Dinesh Karthik, who was covering the series as a commentator for the hosts broadcaster, recently recalled the Lord’s Test victory and shared an interesting anecdote on Kohli's captaincy.
“Virat Kohli said a very interesting line. I guess it was post match. He said, 'I wanted the English batsman to feel what is like to be in hell for the time they were at the crease.' He literally walked the walk and talked the talk in that 50 overs stint that India bowled because it was really a pressure-filled time for England,” Karthik said while speaking to Cricbuzz.
“The wicket had eased out a little more than what it was in the first innings. If at all they should have been batting more comfortably. But this is what pressure does to you. But it was the mental pressure that India put. And the kind of hole that England were digging themselves into and the kind of field they had set for the England tail enders, all these played a part.”
Karthik further said that ahead of the final innings at Lord's, Kohli had only one goal for India – to claim all 10 England wickets.
“Kohli was very animated but he says things that really sparks you at times in the huddle and that huddle should be very special to be part of. I have been part of huddles where he has egged on players to do something special. But I think he was all charged and was gunning for those 10 wickets and he got that in 50 overs. It easily must have been one of his best Test matches,” he said.
“And he is one of India's best captains because of what he has been able to get abroad and the number of wickets fast bowlers picked in India which is not something we are used to seeing. You can definitely say that he has been a better fast bowler's captain than anyone else for a long long time. You don't need much to do when you have Ashwin and Jadeja in the team but he has made India a very potent bowling attack when it comes to fast bowling."