Last week, the third Test of the Anderson‑Tendulkar Trophy at Lord’s delivered pulsating drama with both sides mirroring each other in the first innings, each scoring 387. India’s bowlers then bundled England out for a modest 192, putting the tourists firmly in the ascendancy.  However, England responded with ruthless pace.

On Day 4, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer inflicted maximum damage, reducing India to 58/4 by stumps. The collapse deepened on Day 5, with India at 82/7 when Ravindra Jadeja, supported by Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, launched a belated fightback. But England held their nerve and captured a tense 22-run victory.

Former England quick Steve Harmison argued that the result could have been very different had Virat Kohli been in India’s XI. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo’s Match Day, he said England possesses a knack for “creating an event throughout a session to change the course of the game.” 

ALSO READ: Andre Russell Savours “Silencing India” Knock As Career Highlight

Steve Harmison added, “This is where the likes of Virat Kohli were unbelievable. In a fourth‑innings chase, he goes and wins the game comfortably. He would have won that game comfortably at Lord’s.” 

Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12—his absence is keenly felt on this tour. With 9,230 runs at 46.85, including 30 Test hundreds, he ranks as India’s fourth-highest run-scorer in Tests just behind Tendulkar, Dravid, and Gavaskar. His consistent prowess in fourth-innings chases (1,102 runs at 42.38) — including a memorable 141 at Adelaide in 2014 — underlines why Harmison believes he could have altered the outcome at Lord’s.

ALSO READ: Nick Knight’s Controversial 21st-Century India‑England Test XI: Kohli & Bumrah Snubbed

Now leading 2‑1, England carry momentum into the fourth Test at Old Trafford, starting July 23. India, however, must now cope without Kohli’s dependable presence at No. 4 and find a player who can anchor under pressure—something Kohli once did with ease.