Test cricket is the the oldest format of the game, and undoubtedly the best one. The game evolved eventually with different shorter formats introduced from time to time. There was an era when test cricket was the only version of cricket played, but times have changed drastically as the oldest format is played the least. Even though test matches are rare, the less frequency of the matches have fortunately not affected the quality of the red ball cricket.

A significantly lesser number of countries take interest in test matches nowadays. But the one's who take, show the exact intensity with which the game has to be played. India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa are some of these nations. The addition of shortest formats have affected the number of tests, however the influence of same shorter formats have beautifully changed the outcomes of few test matches, which would've shown different results if played few decades back. And hence, even these lesser nations playing cricket have given plethora of opportunities to the fans to witness nail biting thrillers.

The recently concluded Ashes is a prime example of it. Every match was different, yet a thriller in its own way. The newly adopted Bazball helped England, as well Australia to win matches. No one would've believed few decades back that some day a team might score with a run rate close to 6 in tests. And hence , these updations, influenced by newer formats, have produced some of the most outstanding results in tests. The Border Gavaskar Trophy 20-21 which included the historic Gabba test, India tour of England 2021 are some instances when one got to see the changed approach of teams massively helping to shape the victory. The Gabba was special for its own reasons, but the 2021 India vs England match was special for Kohli's men showing hell to England, in one hell of cricket matches ever played.

It's been 2 years, since the Kohli led Men in Blue showed world the true meaning of aggression. The victory for India was already special, as it came after 7 years at the Mecca of cricket. But more than India, it was special for world cricket as that test was one of those which saw the revival of test cricket. And what better place to do it than the venue where the game was invented. The Mecca of cricket, Lord's witnessed a thriller that day, which showed all the aspects the game could ever offer. A blend of mind games, sledging, aggression, adrenaline rush and top notch performance by both the teams ensured that test cricket is definitely winning. The one who pioneered this victory was Virat Kohli, and his men did the job of sealing the match, which would be remembered forever.

Situations were difficult , but India fought back against all the odds. Told to back and face English bowlers on conditions favouring swing, came the openers. They both negotiated the pace and swing with discipline, stitching an opening of 126 runs, before Rohit was dismissed for 83 runs. Post Rohit's dismissals, it was Rahul's show, who went on to register his first hundred at Lord's. Barring the experienced duo of Rahane and Pujara, everyone had their fair share to move scoreboard. A magnificent 127 by KL Rahul, a fierce half century from Rohit and handy contribution from captain Kohli, Pant and Jadeja helped India reach to a good total of 364 runs.

English batters started poorly, before the lone man for England Joe Root reminded of why he is highly regarded. Scoring a phenomenal innings of 180 runs, he looked in his zone. Combined with Burns and then Bairstow, he stood like a thorn in the flesh for Indian bowling, and remained unbeaten powering England to 391 runs. None of the batters got going much, as Indian bowling was ruthless. Root's innings was special, but this English innings was remembered for the battle between Bumrah and Anderson. The English spearhead had bowled a barrage of bouncers to Bumrah in 1st innings, and now Bumrah had his chance to redeem. He bowled flurry of sharp bouncers, not worrying about being called a no ball. A visibly frightened Anderson looked helpless, yet he was angry to see someone else do what he does. And without scalping a wicket, Bumrah managed to infuriate the English.

And keeping that in mind, the Indian innings started. English pacers dismissed Rahul, Rohit and Kohli cheaply and India was in trouble. The new ball and pumped up English bowlers was a dangerous combination for Men in Blue. That's when the experienced duo of Rahane and Pujara shows why they were trusted after repeated failures. They drained the English bowlers, and then took on them when the Englishmen were out of energy. For almost a session and a half, they stood firmly in the crease and put England on the backfoot for some time, before getting dismissed. Tha end of day 4 saw Indian scorecard at 181/6 with Pant being the last recognised batter on the crease.

With a lead of just 154 runs, Indian hopes depended heavily on Pant. And they were deceived on the start of 5th day as he was dismissed soon. Further Ishant Sharma's dismissal found India struggling at 209/8. With Bumrah and Shami on crease, English bowlers looked like hunters waiting for their prey. Anderson, Robinson, Wood breathed fire. It all was fine and well within spirit, until there was a heated exchange of words. The revengeful Englishmen gave a piece of mouth to Bumrah along with the barrage of bouncers, which massively backfired them. A pumped up Bumrah slashed a Robinson delivery to stands, and replied to verbal duels and bouncers. The adrenaline was witnessed even by Indian dressing room, when one saw a calm Rahane joining Virat Kohli to hurl some words towards the English team.

Englishmen, taken aback by the boundary still continued to add fuel to the fire, which haunted them later on. Bumrah and Shami took on the bowlers with aggression combined with discipline. And the two turned the tide in India's favour, from a point where English victory looked obvious. Both of them displayed their array of shots. Shami in particular hit fluent sixes sending the confidence of England to the stands. The two batted for the entire session, as a tired England hopelessly looked for Indian declaration at the end of the session. And their hopes were crushed, as India didn't declare their innings at the lunch break when the score was 286/8 runs. Seemed like Indians were not looking to win the game.

The tired Englishmen, took the crease with an aura of negativity. Lethargy had already kicked in, when a tactical masterstroke further decimated them. When Englishmen lost their hopes of Indian declaration, it came right on the 9th ball of the session, on a ball which Joe Root dropped the catch. Virat Kohli played mind game with England, and asked them to bat when the morale of England was at their worst. As Englishmen walked back dejected, Bumrah and Shami received standing ovation at the Lord's. Virat ordered his men to come down to the lobby and cheer the duo with a loud noise. He quoted " Everyone should come down the lobby and cheer for Bumrah and Shami. Make the loudest cheer to the extent that the noise should reverberate in the Lord's dressing room forever". And his men did the same, that cheering pumped up the Indians and weakened English.

And then, the Indians had the difficult task of getting 10 wickets in a span of just 60 overs. And Englishmen had a herculean task to save themselves from a pumped up Indian bowling line-up. When the win was difficult, Virat's words uplifted the Indian spirits. And began the journey to glory. Indians dismantled the dejected English top order, with both openers going for a duck. 4 wickets fell till the tea break with Root still on strike, and India needed 6 more to make history. And they did it. Little resistance from Root and Butler couldn't save England's innings ,as they were bundled for a mere 120 runs as Siraj uprooted the stumps dismissing Anderson. Bumrah, Siraj and Ishant pierced into English line-up scalping 3,4,2 each. And Kohli's men did it.

A animated Virat Kohli celebration sent the cricketing world in frenzy, leaving everyone in his admiration. His energy that day was unmatched, and he unveiled the best surprise for India. He unleashed the powers of all his men playing, just by his words and actions on the field. Everyone contributed to this victory equally. And the only 3rd test victory coming at Lord's for India was etched in the hearts of billions back in India. To this day, one can feel the goosebumps one felt that day. And the world was pleased to have someone like Virat Kohli leading the team. In the world of shorter formats, it is captains like Virat Kohli and Ben Stokes who make test special. It's because of matches like these, which shows why test cricket is the best format of all time. Many more matches will come in future , but this one will always remain in the hearts of cricket fans as one of the best matches of all time.