4 times India responded brilliantly after going down in a Test series under Kohli

India vs England, Trent Bridge, August 2018

India demolish England at Trent Bridge

After a great win in South Africa, Indians reached the English shores with a lot of promise. They started off well in the shorter format and looked well prepared for the challenge ahead in the tests.

In the first test at Edgbaston, Indian batsmen's age long problem with the swinging ball came to the fore again. None of the batsmen except for Kohli managed to put up a respectable total in either innings. Indians were required to chase down a target of 194 in the fourth innings but were bowled out for 162.

Next match at Lord's provided no solace for the Indians. Overcast conditions and heavy downpours at regular intervals provided a lot of juice to the pitch which aided the swing bowling of England. As a result of which India lost the test within two and a half days by an innings and 159 runs.

Going into the third Test, Indians were in a familiar position as in South Africa a few months earlier. England captain, Joe Root won the toss and invited India to bat. First time in the series India batted with purpose and put forth a respectable total of 329.

Having tormented the Indian batsmen in the last two Tests with their swing, it was time for England to taste their medicine. India found an unlikely hero in Pandya who swung the ball in overcast conditions and was instrumental in England being bowled out for 161 thus conceding a mammoth lead of 168.

Indians piled on the misery as they batted with purpose in the second innings and set up an improbable target of 521. England's trouble with the moving ball continued as they surrendered to the Indian pace attack yet again and end the fourth day on 311/9.

India under Kohli is on cusp of another moral boosting win which hopefully will motivate them going ahead to draw or even win the series.

There have been questions raised on Kohli's captaincy every now and then. One of the criticisms that has always followed him is that he has played 38 different teams in as many Tests as captain. Indian skipper has always believed in "horses for courses" which seems to have worked for him till now.

Moreover, Kohli has instilled the passion and will-power in the team which keeps them rejuvenated. How often have we seen the past team make a comeback in a series after being routed in the first couple of matches. This team under Kohli looks different from those in the past owing to their desire to win in adverse conditions.