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A day after India’s narrow loss to England in the third Test at Lord’s, former India all-rounder and 1983 World Cup winner Madan Lal made an emotional appeal to Virat Kohli, asking him to return to Test cricket. Kohli had announced his retirement from the format in May, ending a remarkable red-ball career with 9230 runs in 123 matches, averaging 46.85 with 30 centuries. He also holds the record for the most Test double hundreds by an Indian (7) and is India’s fourth-highest century-maker in the format.“Virat Kohli’s passion for Indian cricket was unmatched. It’s my wish that he should come back to Test cricket after retirement. There’s nothing wrong with returning. If not in this series, he should make a comeback in the next,” Madan Lal said.
Kohli also finished as India’s most successful Test captain in terms of matches won and ranks fourth overall behind Graeme Smith, Ricky Ponting, and Steve Waugh. India had bounced back after losing the first Test at Leeds with a dominant showing in the second Test. In the 3rd Test, their bowlers dismissed England for 387 & 192. Washington Sundar stood out with four wickets in the second innings.
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However, in the third Test at Lord’s, England’s attack led by Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes triggered a late collapse. Despite a gritty 61* from Ravindra Jadeja, India were bowled out for 170 while chasing 193, falling short by 22 runs. With the fourth Test scheduled to commence on Julyb23, the Indian contingent will look to regroup and put their best foot forward when they take to the pitch at Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester.
