In what has become one of the most talked-about moments of the current Test series between India and England, India captain Shubman Gill has broken his silence regarding the events that unfolded during the third Test at Lord’s. While England have blamed India for triggering sledging, Gill has clarified that it was England’s deliberate time-wasting tactics — particularly the delayed entry of openers — that sparked the controversy.
The tension at Lord’s reached a boiling point when England’s openers walked out 90 seconds late for their innings, reducing India’s opportunity to bowl more than just one over before stumps. According to Gill, it wasn’t Zak Crawley’s medical attention that frustrated India, but rather the strategic delay.
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They Were 90 Seconds Late, Not 10, Not 20 – Gill
“A lot of people have been talking about it, so let me just clear the air once and for all,” Gill began during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Old Trafford Test. “The English batsmen on that day had seven minutes of play left. They were 90 seconds late to come to the pitch. Not 10, not 20. Ninety seconds late.”
While Gill acknowledged that many teams strategically use available time to their advantage — including India — he emphasized there is a right way to do it. “Even if we were in that position, we would’ve also liked to play lesser overs. But there’s a manner to do it,” he stressed.
Zak Crawley’s Glove Incident Wasn’t the Trigger
Gill also clarified that the incident involving Zak Crawley, where he required medical attention after a Jasprit Bumrah delivery brushed his glove, wasn’t the issue.
He accepted it as “fair” under the laws of the game: “Yes, if you get hit on your body, the physios are allowed to come on. That is something that is fair. But to come 90 seconds late to the crease is not in the spirit of the game.“
Emotions, Not Strategy: “It Didn’t Come Out of Nowhere”
Shubman Gill’s on-field verbal exchanges with England’s openers were caught on camera, and the Indian skipper didn’t shy away from owning it. “Just leading up to that event, a lot of things that we thought should not have happened, had happened,” he said.
“I wouldn’t say it was something that I’m very proud of. But it didn’t just come out of nowhere. We had no intention of doing that whatsoever.” He acknowledged that high-pressure matches naturally carry emotional weight.
“You’re playing to win. There are a lot of emotions involved. When you see things happening that shouldn’t, sometimes emotions spill over.”
England Responds: “We’ll Give As Good As We Get”
England captain Ben Stokes echoed similar sentiments, stating that sledging wasn’t planned but was a by-product of the heat of battle. “I don’t think it is something we necessarily plan or talk about. But there will always be a moment in a series where things just heat up,” said Stokes.
He also emphasized that England won’t be backing down if confronted. “By no means are we going to take a backward step. If the opposition tries to be confrontational, we’ll give a bit back.”
McCullum’s Message: Time to Turn Up the Heat?
Reports from the England dressing room suggest that head coach Brendon McCullum told his players they had been “too nice” and needed to respond with more aggression. Stokes addressed that sentiment too: “It was a real nice moment as a team when you speak about something like that and everyone buys into it. But it’s not something we will purposely go out and start.”
Still, he made it clear England are ready for the mental battle: “We’re not the only team who does that. Most teams will respond when challenged.”
Incident Timeline Breakdown
| Incident | Details |
|---|---|
| Bumrah hits Crawley on glove | Crawley receives on-field treatment |
| India has 7 mins to bowl before stumps | England openers take time |
| Zak Crawley & Ben Duckett enter | Delayed by approx. 90 seconds |
| India bowls only 1 over | Frustration spills on field |
| Gill confronts England openers | Seen on camera exchanging words |
| Brendon McCullum signals aggression | Seen on balcony urging players on |
In this high-stakes series, the battle hasn’t been just between bat and ball, but also over how the game should be played. As Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley become key figures in this narrative, one thing is clear: Test cricket’s emotional intensity is very much alive.
Read More: Jasprit Bumrah Confirmed to Play the Fourth Test as Rishabh Pant Recovers from Finger Injury
FAQs
What did Shubman Gill say about the sledging controversy?
Gill clarified that India’s reaction was sparked by England’s openers being 90 seconds late to the crease, not by Zak Crawley’s treatment.
Did Zak Crawley’s injury stop play unfairly?
No, Gill admitted Crawley’s medical attention was fair and within the rules.
Why did emotions boil over in the third Test?
Gill said emotions were triggered by repeated instances that India felt were against the spirit of the game.
What was Ben Stokes’ response to Gill’s comments?
Stokes agreed that sledging wasn’t pre-planned but stressed England would always respond if provoked.
Did Brendon McCullum encourage England to sled more?
Reports suggest McCullum asked players to be more vocal, believing they had been “too nice” earlier in the series.
