A bit of tension on the field really motivated us to finish the game: Virat Kohli

Tags: India tour of England, 2021, India, England, Virat Kohli, England vs India, 2nd Test at London, Aug 12-16, 2021

Published on: Aug 17, 2021

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Indian captain Virat Kohli revealed that continuing tension between India and England players during the final day of the Lord’s Test gave them greater motivation to win. After Jasprit Bumrah’s bouncer barrage to James Anderson in England’s first innings, Mark Wood gave it back to the Indian bowler when he came out to bat. Tempers flared out in the middle with Bumrah engaging in verbal duels with the Englishmen. India were then all pumped up when they came out to bowl in the final innings.

After an unbroken 89-run partnership between Bumrah (34) and Mohammed Shami (56) broke England’s spirit, Siraj (4/32) and Bumrah (3/33) bowled India to their third Test win at Lord’s. England crumbled to 120 in 51.5 overs

Speaking at the post-match presentation, Kohli said the was super proud of the whole team and the way they stuck to the plans. He commented, “Being put in our performance with the bat was outstanding. Pitch didn't offer much on first three days. But the way we played in the second innings, under pressure, from Jasprit and Shami was outstanding.”

Kohli added that they wanted to have a crack at England in the last two sessions and the move paid off. He further stated, “We thought with 60 overs to go we could have a crack, and they were outstanding. A bit of tension on the field really motivated us to finish the game.”

On clapping Shami and Bumrah off, Kohli revealed, “Wanted to let them know that we appreciated what they did, and they took the new ball and made breakthroughs for us. When we were most successful, our lower order was contributing, we went away from that a bit away from home but they are putting in the hard work with the coaches. The belief and the desire is there, to do the job for the team.”

A win at Lord’s is always special, admitted Kohli. India last beat England at the venue in 2018. Comparing the two wins, the Indian captain said, “Last time was special, Ishant bowled outstandingly. But this one, to get a result in 60 overs, is quite special. With someone like Siraj playing at Lord's for the first time and bowling as he did was outstanding. We decided 60 was our mark, crucial breakthroughs were great for us and we carried on from there.

“Second half of the day, we thought we were on top and our fans got behind us. We feed off the energy of the crowd as well… But we have three more Test matches and we can't sit on our laurels,” he concluded.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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