Virat Kohli may have stepped away from Test cricket, but he couldn’t hold back his excitement after India’s thrilling win over England at The Oval. Despite not being part of the squad for the England series—his first absence from a Test tour of England in 11 years Kohli cheered on from afar. India, under the leadership of Shubman Gill, pulled off a memorable victory to level the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2. With key seniors like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin missing, the pressure was on the younger players and they delivered.
India’s bowling performance on Day 5 turned the match on its head. England were cruising at 301 while chasing 374, with Joe Root and Harry Brook settled at the crease. But then came a stunning comeback, led by Mohammed Siraj, who took five wickets and shifted the momentum completely. Kohli, who had backed Siraj from the start of his career in 2017, was full of praise. Sharing his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Great win by Team India. Resilience and determination from Siraj and Prasidh have given us this phenomenal victory. Special mention to Siraj, who will put everything on the line for the team. Extremely happy for him.”
Siraj, touched by the message, responded with a humble thank-you, acknowledging the bond he shares with Kohli one built on years of trust and mentorship. While fans may still miss seeing Kohli in whites, his support from the sidelines remains as passionate as ever.
