Dinesh Karthik revealed Virat Kohli’s mindset heading into the final innings of the match where England had 272 to chase on a rather easy conditions. But India scripted a memorable 151-run win in that 2nd Test match of the 5-match Test series in 2021 at Lord’s.
Irrespective of the result in the Edgbaston Test (rescheduled 5th Test) earlier this summer and the overall result in the Pataudi Trophy series of 2021/22 which ended in a 2-2 draw, the part which remains forever inscribed was India’s show in those four Tests in England in 2021 where the visitors had scripted an astounding 2-1 lead with wins at Lord’s and the Oval.
Dinesh Karthik Recalled Virat Kohli Saying He Wanted The England Batters To Feel What Is Like To Be In Hell During Stay At Crease during 2021 Lord’s Test
Those wins particularly epitomized the Indian team under the captaincy of Virat Kohli – to remain aggressive, to remain on the front foot, and to believe no matter the circumstance. Recalling one of those wins, the one at Lord’s, Dinesh Karthik shared a very “interesting” anecdote on Virat Kohli’s captaincy.
Dinesh Karthik wasn’t part of the team, but was on the commentary panel for that part of the series and hence had watched the Indian side from close.
Speaking a year later on that Test match at Lord’s, Dinesh Karthik revealed Virat Kohli’s mindset heading into the final innings of the match where England had 272 to chase in rather easy conditions. But all it took India was 51.5 overs to fold England as India scripted a memorable 151-run win in the 2nd Test match of the series.
“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 recalled.
“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.”
After the Nottingham Test was washed away on Day 5, India took a 1-0 lead at Lord’s with a comprehensive 151-run triumph. It was due to Mohammed Siraj’s fiery spell (4/32) in assistance by the ever menacing Jasprit Bumrah (3/33) bowled England out for 120.
Dinesh Karthik Praised Virat Kohli For Being A Pacer’s Captain
The veteran batter further talked about how inspirational it is to be part of a huddle during Virat Kohli’s captaincy and revealed that ahead of the final innings at Lord’s he had only one goal for India – to get all those 10 wickets. Dinesh Karthik further hailed Virat Kohli as one of the best ever fast-bowler’s captains world cricket has seen in ages.
“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.”
Dinesh Karthik, who is teammates with Virat Kohli in the Indian team as well as Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, was effusive in praise for the former Indian captain, calling him a bowler’s captain. Virat Kohli captained India in Tests from 2014 to the start of 2022 and led the team in 68 matches, winning 40 of them.