The final moments of Day 3 at Lord’s saw high drama and rising tensions, as India captain Shubman Gill confronted England opener Zak Crawley over what the Indian team saw as deliberate time-wasting tactics in the third Test of the series. With England just beginning their second innings, and only two overs to go before stumps, Crawley's actions triggered an emotionally charged scene, one that boiled over into a verbal showdown on the field.
What Happened?
India were eager to bowl two overs in the fading light after wrapping up England’s first innings, but Zak Crawley delayed play, frustrating the Indians. As Jasprit Bumrah ran in to bowl the final over of the day:
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Crawley walked away twice, disrupting Bumrah’s rhythm.
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After being hit on the gloves by Bumrah’s fifth ball, Crawley called for the physio, effectively ending any chance of bowling the final scheduled over.
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This prompted Shubman Gill to storm up to Crawley and allegedly sledge him with “grow some bls!”**
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KL Rahul and Mohammed Siraj also unleashed expletives, adding to the tension as the Lord’s crowd jeered both sides during the heated exchange.
Ball-by-Ball Snapshot (Final Over of Day 3):
Shubman vs Crawley: The Flashpoint
Gill, taking over Test captaincy duties, showed intensity and frustration rarely associated with his usual calm demeanour. With the match finely poised, India clearly felt that England’s tactical delaying denied their pacers a potentially match-shaping second over in twilight conditions.
Ben Duckett and Siraj Exchange Words
After stumps, Siraj continued jawing with Crawley, prompting Ben Duckett to step in and separate the players. The heated body language on both sides added spice to what’s already been a tense, closely fought Test match.
Gavaskar Defends Crawley
In a surprising take, Sunil Gavaskar defended Crawley, saying:
“Openers don’t have the privilege of nightwatchmen. It’s fair for Crawley to be cautious, especially after being struck on the gloves. He had every right to call the physio.”
Gavaskar's stance acknowledges the risks of late-day batting and reflects an old-school understanding of the opener’s vulnerability in fading light.
Match Situation at Stumps – Day 3
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England lead by just 2 runs with all 10 wickets intact.
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India had earlier taken a slender first-innings lead, and both sides now gear up for a potentially thrilling finish over the next two days.
What This Means Going Forward
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This Gill-Crawley flashpoint could add spice and animosity to Day 4’s contest.
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With the series hanging in the balance, expect more fiery exchanges, aggressive bowling from India, and no shortage of mental battles on the field.
The Lord's Test just got personal—and unmissable.
