Virat Kohli Birthday Special: When Ex-Captain's '60 Overs They Should Feel Like Hell Out There' Message Inspired India to Famous Test Win Over England at Lord's Cricket Stadium in 2021
The former Test captain was the architect behind many of India's victories in overseas Tests, one of them being in Lord's 2021. Here's how his famous '60 overs of hell' speech prompted the Indian cricket team to deliver a performance that would go down as one of the best-ever in Test cricket history.
When Mohammad Siraj found a way to hit James Anderson's off-stump, the whole of the Indian national cricket team as well as Indian fans in the Lord's Cricket Stadium erupted into celebrations. India had just registered a famous victory, one that would go down in the echelons of Test cricket as a great comeback win. And the man who masterminded that Indian triumph was none other than Virat Kohli, who celebrates his 36th birthday today. Widely considered one of the best to have played the game of cricket was born in Delhi on November 5, 2024. His international debut came about in the year 2008 and it was the start of what would go on to become one of the best and most admired cricketing careers. His 36th birthday is a perfect excuse to relive one of Indian cricket's best-ever Test wins in overseas conditions- the 2021 Lord's Test against England. Virat Kohli Birthday Special: Take a Look at His Stunning Numbers, Records Across All Formats As He Turns 36.
A key part of Virat Kohli's illustrious career has been the era of his Test captaincy. Under him, India became a force to be reckoned with in Test cricket, especially in overseas conditions where the team had not done too well in recent times. When he took up the reins from MS Dhoni in the middle of a Test series in Australia in 2014, the situation demanded someone to step up and improve India's track record in overseas Tests. And Kohli not only did that but went on to cement his legacy as one of the fiercest and best Test captains India have ever produced.
The Lord's Test win in 2021 was the perfect example. KL Rahul's scintillating 129 in the first innings had set India up for a 364-run first innings total, which England surpassed with a slender 27-run lead. Mohammad Siraj, Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami were amongst the wickets in the first innings. India in their second innings, declared at 298/8, with the score being possible due to contributions from Ajinkya Rahane (61), Mohammed Shami (56), Cheteshwar Pujara (45) and a Jasprit Bumrah cameo (34). India thus set a target of 272 for England to chase down and win the 2nd Test of the five-match series. Virat Kohli Birthday Special: On This Day in 2023, Team India Star Batter Equalled Sachin Tendulkar's Record of Most Centuries in ODIs.
Virat Kohli's '60 Overs They Should Feel Like Hell out There' Speech
Then came one of the most memorable chapters of the sensational Test match, where Virat Kohli, before leading his team out, urged them to make life difficult for the Englishmen. "60 overs, they should feel like hell out there." The fiery speech, which has since become very famous, was followed by something simply staggering and sensational, one that not many Indian cricket team fans would be able to forget in a long time to come.
Watch Virat Kohli's Fiery '60 Overs of Hell Speech'
And the energy and high spirits were noticed in the India national cricket team's bowling effort right from the first over itself! Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami sent back both England openers--Rory Burns and Dom Sibley for ducks. England found themselves in real trouble when Joe Root, a centurion from the first innings was dismissed after the tea session. Virat Kohli's intensity on the field and aggressive celebrations not only gave the bowlers and fielders inspiration, lifting their spirits but also spiced up the contest further with England eventually being bowled out for 120, when James Anderson was dismissed by Mohammed Siraj. Virat Kohli Photos and HD Wallpapers for Free Download: Happy Birthday Kohli Greetings, HD Images in RCB and Indian Cricket Team Jersey and Birthday Wishes to Share Online.
IND vs ENG Lord's Test 2021 Day 5 Highlights
However, for those following Virat Kohli's Indian Test team, this victory did not come as much of a surprise, especially after the resilient side had achieved in Australia. In 2018-19, Virat Kohli became the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia, something that is remembered fondly by fans. Early in 2022, Virat Kohli decided to step away from Test captaincy, which signalled the end of one of Indian cricket's most memorable eras in the longest format.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 05, 2024 05:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).