Former India head coach Ravi Shastri recently opened up about the intensity Virat Kohli brings to the field, recalling the now-iconic Day 5 of the 2021 Lord’s Test against England. Shastri revealed that Kohli’s mindset was crystal clear that morning — India would bowl England out and win the Test, despite what the scorecard or experts suggested.
India had ended Day 4 at a precarious 181/6, with Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma at the crease. Early on Day 5, both were dismissed, leaving England on the verge of wrapping things up. But what followed was a remarkable twist. Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah stitched together a defiant 89-run stand for the ninth wicket, taking India’s total to 298 and setting England a target of 272.
“Off the field, Virat’s a chilled-out, mellow guy. But once he steps onto the field, he’s a beast. He’ll look you in the eye and play fiercely. That morning, we agreed — if we get England to chase around 170, we’re winning this,” Ravi Shastri recalled on Sky Sports.
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He further noted how every English newspaper that morning had called England favourites. “I picked up The Times — Atherton said England were favourites. The Telegraph, same. I read all of it on the bus. And then, our tail adds another 100 runs,” Ravi Shastri added with a smile.
He knew something big was coming. “Right then, I could tell Kohli would fire them up in the huddle,” Shastri said.
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And fire them up he did. As England began their chase, Kohli delivered a fiery pre-innings message: “Whether we get them out or not, these 60 overs must feel like hell. If I see anyone laughing with their players, you’ll answer to me.”
India went on to bowl England out for 120, sealing one of their most famous overseas victories. It was a win shaped by belief, resilience, and Kohli’s unrelenting drive to make the opposition feel the pressure — every single ball.
