The third Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground between India and England had everything- tension, sledging, wild swings of momentum but according to Australia’s Alyssa Healy, it lacked one vital ingredient: Virat Kohli.
As India crumbled chasing 193 on the final day and the contest turned fiery and Healy couldn’t help but feel that the former India captain would have been right in his element amidst the chaos.
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Why did Alyssa Healy believe Virat Kohli would’ve been perfect for Lord’s Day 5 battle?
Healy, speaking on the Willow Talk podcast, said she loved watching the intensity of the match unfold. The fiery exchanges between the players kept viewers glued. But as she soaked it all in, she admitted it stirred thoughts of Kohli.
Healy said that while the Indian team fought hard, especially Jadeja, Kohli's signature passion and presence were notably absent.
"It made me miss Virat Kohli a little bit because I would imagine he would have absolutely thrived in that environment, that hostile environment trying to save a Test match. He would have been absolutely frothing to be a part of that. But (Ravindra) Jadeja tried his best," Healy said.
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What did India miss without Kohli during the tense Day 5 finish?
India’s chase faltered under pressure despite Ravindra Jadeja’s 61 not out. With wickets falling rapidly around him, Jadeja held firm and stitched defiant stands with Bumrah and Siraj. But the final blow came when Shoaib Bashir dismissed Siraj to hand England a 22-run win and a 2-1 lead in the series.
Kohli’s presence could’ve made a psychological difference in such moments. More than just skill, it’s his aura that lifts those around him.
Kohli had retired from Test cricket earlier this year, following the IPL, ending a 123-match career where he scored 9230 runs. His last Test came in Australia earlier in 2025.
Whether it was his verbal duels at Perth in 2018 or his epic hundred at Edgbaston in 2021, Kohli has always enjoyed high-stakes battles. His performances often peaked when the pressure was highest and tempers were flaring.
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With the series now tilted in England’s favour, the fourth Test begins on July 23 at Old Trafford, and India will need to find that missing spark quickly.