Archive August 1, 2025

When Joe Root and India fast bowler Prasidh Krishna got into a heated argument on the second day of the fifth Test at The Oval, the team claimed it was a deliberate move.

The stump microphones did not pick up the exact words, which were used by Root when he was struggling to hit the jackpot and played and missed at Krishna, but the England batter was unusually upbeat in his response.

As England were bowled out for 247 in their opening innings, Krishna, who took 4-62, added that the way things turned out, surprised him as well.

He claimed that the incident was intended to disrupt him, but he didn’t anticipate that the few words I said would elicit such a strong response.

“I adore the man that he is, a game legend.” Just when two people are out competing for both success and success in that particular situation.

The hosts have led the series 2-1, but the hosts are in a tricky position now, with India taking a 52-run lead into day three with eight wickets in hand after England dropped three catches late in.

Before the third Test at Lord’s, India coach Gautam Gambhir had a verbal exchange with The Oval’s ground staff, while skipper Shubman Gill accused England of using time-wasting tactics. In addition, Mohammed Siraj was given a pay-out for his dismissal of Ben Duckett during the third Test.

Before Krishna’s encounter with Root, Duckett had another odd incident when Akash Deep dismissed him for 43 and positioned his arm around the England opener’s shoulder as he walked off the field.

England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick remarked, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bowler do that after pulling a person out.”

In this series, “You’ve seen them having words, we’ve seen it from both sides.” Simply put, it was different.

Ben doesn’t do a lot of things in response, as we’ve already seen in the series. The game was won in good humor, there have been some words and arguments along the way, but the two teams are still able to get along well enough and will continue to do so. There was probably no need to walk him off in that manner.

Trescothick also acknowledged India’s strategy in trying to scuttle Root, who fluently played for his 29 before being pinched by Siraj.

They made a comment, attempted to pursue him and give him some swag. Joe bit back when India tried a different strategy, he claimed in a BBC Test Match Special.

Gus Atkinson’s five-wicket haul was well received as England successfully swept up India’s lower order once more in a lively morning session, but the tourists were not drawn to repeating mistakes later in the day because Josh Tongue had significantly improved his consistency.

Sai Sudharsan was also put down before being eventually dismissed by Atkinson for 11 while Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is unbeaten on 51, was dropped on 20 and 40.

Michael Vaughan, the ex-england captain, claims that their selections also did not help them.

Batter Jacob Bethell, age 21, is only making six appearances in his first series of red-ball matches after missing one for seven months. Ben Stokes’ captain’s shoulder injury and Brydon Carse and Jofra Archer’s need for rest forced England to make substitutions for Jamie Overton, 31, who has started only four first-class matches since September 2023.

Overton is currently wicketless for 22 runs from five overs, despite the Sudharsan drop caused by his bowling, which included 0-66 in India’s first innings.

“I’d say the only thing I’d say about England’s selection is that they’ve chosen people who have never played cricket and that it’s not an easy game to play in front of this many people and the world’s TV screens.

It is no surprise that they appeared a little vulnerable because if you don’t want to play cricket, your body won’t get used to it.

In terms of match position, Vaughan added, and former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta agreed that India was just ahead of England.

“It’s going to be about pressure, and this series this India side have handled pressure well,” said the captain. “It’s been a long tour with one more innings to go. You must refrain from doing anything else and just bat.

It’s just how you handle it, according to the saying. “The pitch will get better. It wasn’t handled well at Lords, but India handled it very well at Old Trafford.