Virat Kohli Leads India's Chase with a Fierce Roar at Lord's

What happened?

Virat Kohli received a loud cheer and applause from the Lord's crowd as he walked out to bat in the third ODI against England. The Indian team is chasing a massive 388-run target at the iconic Lord's ground, with Kohli looking to make a significant impact with the bat. The crowd's warm welcome was a testament to Kohli's stature as one of the greatest batsmen in the world.

Why it matters for Virat Kohli

Kohli has been in ominous form in ODIs in recent times, with seven fifty-plus scores in his last ten innings. He has a solid record in his format in England, having scored 1443 runs from 36 games at an average of 51.53 with a hundred and 13 half-centuries. The pressure is on Kohli to deliver a big knock and carry the momentum in a big chase with the series on the line.

What comes next?

As India still trails behind in the chase, Kohli will look to make a statement with the bat. He has been in good form, smashing three early boundaries and taking the attack to the England bowlers. With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill having put up a big partnership, the same would be expected of Rohit and Kohli as India go after the huge target.

India's openers Rohit Sharma and captain Shubman Gill kept the Men in Blue in the hunt with a 147-run stand for the first wicket. Gill was dismissed for 77 on the second ball of the 25th over, but Kohli was ready to take the field. He walked to the pitch, had a brief chat with Rohit Sharma, and shared a fist pump before going on to take his guard.

Kohli's recent form

Kohli has been in ominous form in ODIs in recent times, with seven fifty-plus scores in his last ten innings. He made 65 runs off 66 balls with eight boundaries at a strike rate of 98.48 in the second ODI, and will look to carry momentum from his previous innings. His scores read 0, 74*, 135, 102, 65*, 93, 23, 124, 5, 65, with a solid record in his format in England.

The series decider

The third ODI at Lord's is a series decider, with India looking to take the lead in the series. The crowd's warm welcome for Kohli was a sign of the importance of the match, and the pressure is on Kohli to deliver a big knock and carry the momentum in a big chase with the series on the line.

Kohli will look to make a statement with the bat, and the crowd will be watching with bated breath. The stage is set for a thrilling finish to the series, with Kohli at the forefront of India's chase.

20 Jul 2026, at Lord's, England.