'For 60 overs, they should feel hell out there' - Virat Kohli gives a motivational speech before England’s second innings in the Lord’s Test

Before the fourth innings of the Lord’s Test, Indian skipper Virat Kohli was seen giving his teammates a motivational speech. In the last two sessions on Day five, the Brits needed 272 runs to win and India required 10 wickets to come out trumps. In the end, it was the visitors, who won the match by 151 runs to take an all-important 1-0 lead in the five-match Test series.

Before Rory Burns and Dominic Sibley went out to bat, Kohli was seen in a huddle with the Indian players. The words seemed to have motivated the bowlers. It’s because Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami got rid of both the English openers in the first two overs of England’s run-chase.

“For 60 overs they should feel hell out there,” Kohli was heard saying before the Three Lions began their run-chase. Joe Root top-scored for the hosts with 33 runs as England were bowled out for 120 in their second innings.

 The first day was the most challenging, says Virat Kohli

After the game, Kohli said that after the first day, India started getting the measure of the playing conditions. The 32-year-old also had words of praise for Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, who both performed with the bat against the expectations.

“The way we stuck to our plans after being put in. The pitch didn’t offer much in the first three days. The first day was the most challenging. The way we played in the second innings after being put under pressure – Jasprit and Shami were outstanding. We had the belief we can get them out in 60 overs,” Kohli said.

“The tension in the field in our second innings, what happened there, helped us. Putting their hand up was something we were really proud of and we wanted to let them know (ovation for Bumrah-Shami). Batting coach has worked really hard with the boys,” he stated.

“When we were No.1 we were getting runs from the lower-order. Then we shied away from it. But now they (lower-order) have the desire in them to get the runs and do well for the team,” Kohli added.

After the thumping win, India will now head to Headingley, Leeds where they will play the third Test, starting August 25.