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"They Should Feel Hell" When Virat Kohli's Iconic Speech Shaped India's Historic Win At Lord's

Sakshi Sharma

Virat Kohli during 2021 tour (Source:@akashd7781,x.com)Virat Kohli during 2021 tour (Source:@akashd7781,x.com)

As Indian cricket bids farewell to one of its most celebrated figures, Virat Kohli, memories of his most defining moments as Test captain continue to flood in. Among them, none perhaps encapsulates the spirit of Kohli’s leadership better than the famous Lord’s Test in 2021. 

On Monday, Kohli officially announced his retirement from Test cricket in an emotional Instagram post, marking the end of a 14-year career in the format. The news followed closely on the heels of Rohit Sharma’s retirement from Tests. 

As the cricket world reflects on his legacy, the Lord’s Test against England during the 2021 tour stands out as a shining example of Kohli’s passion and leadership. It was in this match that Kohli’s famous words “For 60 overs, they should feel hell” was said. 

When Virat Kohli Roared At Lord’s

The context was intense. After a tense battle over four days, India entered the final day of the second Test with a slender lead and only a couple of wickets in hand. What followed was an unexpected and game-changing 89-run ninth-wicket stand between Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Their fearless batting frustrated the English bowlers and set up a target of 272 for England, to be chased in just 60 overs.

But it was Kohli’s fiery speech in the dressing room before India took the field that lit the spark. “If I see someone laughing, then see! For 60 overs, they should feel hell out there,” Kohli roared a moment that went viral and became symbolic of the aggressive. 

India Scripted History

What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. India’s pace attack, led by Bumrah, Shami, and Mohammed Siraj, ripped through the English batting lineup, bowling them out for just 120. India won the Test by 151 runs their third-ever Test win at Lord’s and took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Kohli stepped down as red-ball captain earlier in 2022, but his legacy as a leader lives on. His tenure was marked by bold declarations, and fierce loyalty.