On This Day — Virat Kohli’s Twin Masterclass Powers India to a 203-Run Win at Trent Bridge

His brilliant batting earned him the Man of the Match award and gave the visitors their first victory of the series. It was a performance that lifted the entire team and filled Indian fans with joy and belief. This triumph wasn’t just about a Test win as it was a statement of India’s growing confidence overseas.

India vs England: 22nd August 2018

When India walked out to bat at Trent Bridge on August 18, 2018, England’s choice to bowl first felt like a bold move, banking on the pitch’s early zip. Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul got off to a decent start, stitching together 60 runs. Dhawan was in his element, cracking seven fours for his 35 off 65 balls, but Chris Woakes got him caught by Jos Buttler. Rahul, playing a bit more carefully, scored 23 off 53 balls with four fours before Woakes trapped him lbw, leaving India at 60/2. Cheteshwar Pujara, usually the rock, couldn’t get going and fell for 14 off 31 balls to Woakes, making it 82/3.

Then came the game’s defining moment: Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane put on a massive 159-run stand for the fourth wicket. Kohli was pure class, scoring 97 off 152 balls with 11 fours, just missing a century when Adil Rashid had him caught by Ben Stokes. Rahane played beautifully too, making 81 off 131 balls with 12 fours, before Stuart Broad got him caught by Alastair Cook.

Hardik Pandya chipped in with 18 off 58 balls, looking solid until James Anderson dismissed him. Rishabh Pant, the young debutant, showed some fire with 24 off 51 balls, including a six, but Broad sent him back. Ravichandran Ashwin scored a quick 14 off 17 balls, but the tail didn’t last long. Mohammed Shami made 3, and Jasprit Bumrah got a duck, both falling to Anderson, who ended with 3/64. India were all out for 329 in 94.5 overs. Broad took 3/72, Woakes 3/75, and Rashid 1/46. The pitch had some help for bowlers, but Kohli and Rahane’s big partnership gave India a strong total. The lower order’s quick collapse was a bit of a letdown, but 329 felt competitive, setting India up nicely to control the game.

England 1st Innings

England’s first innings was a complete disaster, as India’s bowlers came out swinging. Alastair Cook and Keaton Jennings started with some hope, putting on 54 runs. Cook looked steady, scoring 29 off 42 balls with five fours, but Ishant Sharma got him to edge one to Rishabh Pant. Jennings didn’t last long either, making 20 off 32 balls before Jasprit Bumrah had him caught by Pant in the next over. Joe Root, England’s captain, tried to settle things down but could only manage 16 off 29 balls before Hardik Pandya got him caught by KL Rahul.

Ollie Pope was next, scoring 10 off 22 balls before Sharma sent him packing, caught by Pant again. At 75/3, England were in trouble, and it got worse. Jonny Bairstow made 15 off 41 balls, but Pandya was on a roll, getting him caught by Rahul. Ben Stokes tried to fight with a quick 10 off 13 balls, but Pandya dismissed him too. Jos Buttler gave England a glimmer of hope with a fiery 39 off 32 balls, smashing three fours and two sixes, but Bumrah stopped him in his tracks, caught by a substitute fielder. Chris Woakes scored 8, Adil Rashid got 5, and Stuart Broad was out for a duck, all falling to Pandya, who was the star with an incredible 5/28.

James Anderson was left not out on 1 as England crashed to 161 in just 38.2 overs. Bumrah took 2/37, Sharma 2/32, and Mohammed Shami chipped in with 1/56. Pant was electric behind the stumps, grabbing five catches. Pandya’s fiery spell completely broke England’s batting, and their collapse handed India a massive 168-run lead. It was a shocking performance from England, who just couldn’t handle the pace and swing, giving India a huge advantage in the match.

India 2nd Innings

India’s second innings started with a bang, as KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan put on 60 runs quickly. Rahul was in attacking mode, smashing 36 off 33 balls with seven fours, but Ben Stokes bowled him to break the stand. Dhawan played a solid 44 off 63 balls with six fours before getting stumped off Adil Rashid’s spin. Cheteshwar Pujara came in and did what he does best, grind it out. He scored a patient 72 off 208 balls, hitting nine fours, frustrating England’s bowlers.

Virat Kohli, in top form, joined him and played a captain’s knock of 103 off 197 balls with 10 fours, before Chris Woakes trapped him lbw. Their 113-run partnership for the third wicket was massive, pushing India’s lead further. Ajinkya Rahane played a cautious 29 off 94 balls, but Rashid got him out, caught by a fielder. Rishabh Pant had a rare off day, scoring just 1 off 6 balls before James Anderson dismissed him, caught by Alastair Cook.

Hardik Pandya came in and played a blinder, smashing an unbeaten 52 off 52 balls with seven fours and a six, giving India’s total a late boost. Mohammed Shami scored 3 off 6 balls before Rashid got him, and Ravichandran Ashwin was not out on 1. India declared at 352/7 in 110 overs, setting England a mammoth target of 521. Rashid was England’s best bowler, taking 3/101, while Stokes got 2/68, Woakes 1/49, and Anderson 1/55. The innings was all about Pujara’s grit and Kohli’s class, with Pandya’s quick runs adding the final punch. India batted smartly, building a lead that felt nearly impossible for England to chase, putting them firmly in the driver’s seat.

England 2nd Innings

Chasing a huge 521, England’s second innings started shakily. Alastair Cook scored 17 off 39 balls and Keaton Jennings made 13 off 31, but both fell to Ishant Sharma, leaving England at 32/2. Joe Root tried to steady the ship but managed only 13 off 40 balls before Jasprit Bumrah got him caught by KL Rahul. Ollie Pope scored 16 off 39 balls before Mohammed Shami had him caught by Virat Kohli, making it 62/4. Then came a gritty fightback from Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, who put on a massive 169 runs for the fifth wicket.

Stokes battled for 62 off 187 balls with six fours, while Buttler played a brilliant 106 off 176 balls, smashing 21 fours. Their partnership gave England some hope, but Bumrah struck a killer blow, getting Buttler lbw and Jonny Bairstow for a duck in the same over. Chris Woakes made just 4 before Bumrah dismissed him, caught by Pant. Hardik Pandya then got Stokes, caught by Rahul, breaking England’s resistance. Adil Rashid fought on, staying not out on 33 off 64 balls with a six, while Stuart Broad scored 20 off 29 balls before Bumrah got him.

Ravichandran Ashwin wrapped things up by dismissing James Anderson for 11. England were all out for 317 in 104.5 overs, falling 203 runs short. Bumrah was outstanding with 5/85, Sharma took 2/70, Shami got 1/78, and Ashwin 1/44. Rahul was a star in the field, taking five catches. Stokes and Buttler’s big stand showed England’s fight, but the target was just too big, and India’s bowlers kept the pressure on to seal a huge victory.