Shubman Gill Addresses Tensions with Zak Crawley During Lord's Test
Captain Shubman Gill Speaks Out
Team India captain Shubman Gill has finally commented on the intense confrontation with England's opener Zak Crawley during the third match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 held at Lord's, London.
The situation escalated when Gill accused Crawley of intentionally 'wasting time' to disrupt Jasprit Bumrah's momentum, who was performing exceptionally well on Day 3 of the Test. Gill was overheard expressing his frustration, urging Crawley to 'Grow some f****** b**s.'
Tensions heightened further when Crawley was struck on the fingers by a delivery from Bumrah, leading to sarcastic applause from the Indian players. This incident reignited the verbal exchange between Gill and Crawley, prompting Ben Duckett to intervene and calm the situation.
Gill Clarifies His Comments
On the eve of the Manchester Test, Shubman Gill addressed the media to clarify his remarks regarding the altercation with Crawley. He pointed out that England was 90 seconds late in taking the crease after India's first innings.
Gill acknowledged that the tactic of wasting time is not uncommon in Test cricket, suggesting that India might also consider using it strategically. He stated, 'The English batters had seven minutes of play left and were 90 seconds late to the crease.'
He added, 'Yes, many teams employ this tactic. If we were in a similar position, we would also prefer to play fewer overs. However, there is a proper way to do it. If a player is injured, the physios are allowed to assist, which is fair.'
The Aftermath of the Heated Exchange
The confrontation between Gill and Crawley set a charged atmosphere for the remaining days of the Lord's Test. On Day 4, England was dismissed for 192, setting a target of 193 runs for India. However, India struggled and ended the day at 58/4.
Ultimately, India was bowled out for 170, falling short by 23 runs despite a commendable effort from Ravindra Jadeja, who scored an unbeaten 61 off 181 balls.
Gill Reflects on His Reaction
In further comments about the incident, Gill expressed that England's late arrival at the crease was not in the spirit of the game. However, he admitted that he does not take pride in how he reacted during the heated moment.
'Coming to the crease 90 seconds late is not something I consider to be in the spirit of the game. There were several events leading up to that moment that contributed to the situation,' Gill explained.
'It's a competitive game, and emotions can run high. When things occur that shouldn't, emotions can sometimes spill over unexpectedly.'
Looking Ahead
Currently, Team India is trailing 1-2 in the five-match series following their defeat at Lord's. The team is preparing to face England at Old Trafford, aiming not only to level the series but also to end an 89-year winless streak at that venue.