India skipper Shubman Gill playfully taunted England batters over their unusually slow scoring rate at Lord’s, a stark contrast to their usual aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach.
Gill’s Sarcastic Jab at Lord’s
During the opening day of the 3rd Test, Indian captain Shubman Gill was in a mood for some classic mind games. As England’s run rate dipped significantly, a stark departure from their ‘Bazball’ style, Gill couldn’t resist a sarcastic comment.
“No more entertaining cricket. Welcome back to the boring Test cricket, boys,” Gill was heard shouting, highlighting England’s uncharacteristic slowdown. This playful taunt immediately captured attention, emphasizing the unusual pace of play.
England’s Un-Bazball Start
England found themselves struggling to score freely, losing quick wickets early in their innings. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley were dismissed, putting the brakes on their scoring.
They reached their 100-run mark in a sluggish 35.4 overs, marking their slowest century in a home Test match. While Joe Root later provided some stability with a fifty, England’s run rate remained a concern, hovering around three runs per over.
India’s Bowling Attack Takes Hold
India made one strategic change to their playing eleven, bringing back Jasprit Bumrah in place of Prasidh Krishna. England captain Ben Stokes also made a rare decision, opting to bat first for only the second time in the ‘Bazball’ era during a home game.
The Indian pace trio of Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj initially challenged the English openers. The unique slope of the Lord’s ground meant Indian bowlers took some time to adapt to the conditions. However, they soon found their rhythm.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Double Strike
Despite Akash Deep’s impressive form, captain Gill opted to introduce all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy from the Nursery End. This decision quickly paid dividends in an eventful over.
Reddy secured the first breakthrough when Ben Duckett gloved a short delivery down the leg side, leading to a catch by wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant. Though Ollie Pope narrowly survived a tough gully chance in the same over, Reddy wasn’t finished.
With the final ball of his over, Reddy bowled a beauty that seamed away from Zak Crawley, inducing an outside edge that was safely caught by the keeper. These two crucial wickets left England at 83 for two at lunch, shifting momentum towards India.
- Shubman Gill’s sarcastic comment highlighted England’s uncharacteristically slow scoring rate.
- England recorded their slowest home Test century, a significant contrast to their ‘Bazball’ philosophy.
- Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered a crucial double-wicket over, turning the tide for India.
The opening day at Lord’s certainly brought an unexpected twist to England’s aggressive style, proving that Test cricket, with or without ‘Bazball,’ always offers compelling drama and strategic battles.