KL Rahul Reflects on Tense Moments During Third Test Against England

In a recent interview, KL Rahul opened up about the intense atmosphere during the final moments of Day 3 in the third Test against England at Lord's. He described the heated exchanges between players, particularly between Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley, and emphasized that such tensions are part of the game. Rahul expressed optimism for the upcoming days, stating that the Indian team remains motivated to secure a victory despite the challenges faced. This reflection provides a glimpse into the competitive spirit of Test cricket and the dynamics between players on the field.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 13, 2025, 13:55 IST

Dramatic Final Moments of Day 3 at Lord's

KL Rahul, India's experienced opener, shared insights about the intense atmosphere that characterized the concluding moments of Day 3 in the third Test against England at Lord's, famously known as the 'Home of Cricket'.

As the day drew to a close, emotions surged and tensions escalated during the final over. India concluded their innings at 387, matching England's score, while openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were tasked with navigating the challenging last few minutes.

Tensions Rise Between Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley

In a pivotal moment, Crawley moved late out of the way before the third delivery from Jasprit Bumrah, suggesting there was movement behind the bowler. However, both Bumrah and Indian captain Shubman Gill seemed skeptical of Crawley's claim, leading Gill to express his frustration vocally from the slip cordon.

Later, Crawley was struck on the glove by a delivery and promptly requested the physio's assistance, which ignited chaos on the field. Indian players quickly surrounded the English openers, resulting in a heated exchange of words between Gill and Crawley.

Rahul's Perspective on the Incident

Rahul, who witnessed the incident firsthand, believes such occurrences are part of the game. He remarked, "What transpired at the end is simply part of cricket. As an opening batter, I can relate to the situation and understand the dynamics at play during those last few minutes."

He noted that it was not unusual to see Gill animated and passionate, stating, "Yes, I have seen him fired up. With six minutes remaining, we were eager to bowl two overs, which is a standard expectation for any team."

Rahul added, "It was a bit theatrical towards the end. We were all energized, knowing how challenging it is for a batter to step in for just two overs after a long day in the field. We were hopeful for a wicket there."

India's Aspirations for the Final Days

Rahul expressed that securing a wicket in the closing moments would have been ideal. He emphasized that even without a wicket, the Indian team would remain motivated as they approached the final two days of the match.

"A wicket at the end of the day would have been perfect for us. Regardless, we would have been fired up because of the match situation. We have two days ahead, and both teams are essentially starting from scratch," he explained.

He concluded, "After three days of competitive cricket, everything hinges on the last two days. We will aim to take ten wickets quickly and enjoy our time on the field."

Despite the heated exchanges, England ended the day at 2/0, looking to build on their position as the match progresses into the final six sessions.