Tensions Flare on Day Three of India vs England Test

The third day of the 3rd Test match between India and England at Lord’s ended on a contentious note as Indian skipper Shubman Gill expressed his frustration towards England’s Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. With just ten minutes remaining in the day’s play, and the scores tied after both teams’ first innings, tempers flared when Crawley repeatedly pulled away before facing Jasprit Bumrah’s delivery. Gill, suspecting time-wasting tactics by the English side, exchanged heated words with Crawley and later with Duckett.

Gill’s Frustration Boils Over

The situation escalated when Crawley was struck on the glove by a delivery, prompting him to call for medical attention. During this pause, Gill sarcastically clapped and gestured towards the pavilion, further intensifying the atmosphere. The day’s play concluded dramatically as Bumrah delivered a seaming ball that beat Crawley.

Sunil Gavaskar’s Insight on IPL Influence

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar weighed in on the incident, attributing the animosity to the lack of English players in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Gavaskar noted that few players from England, such as Joe Root and Ben Stokes, participate in the IPL, unlike players from other countries who often share dressing rooms with Indian players. This lack of interaction may contribute to heightened tensions during international matches.

Implications for India-England Rivalry

Gavaskar highlighted that before the IPL era, there was significant animosity between players from different countries. Although the IPL has softened relations among many international players, the absence of English participation might be maintaining a competitive edge between India and England. This ongoing rivalry was evident in the heated exchanges witnessed during this Test match.

Match Summary

At stumps on Day 3, England stood at 2/0 in their second innings, leading India by two runs after both teams scored 387 in their first innings. Key performances included KL Rahul’s century for India and Chris Woakes’ three-wicket haul for England.