India captain Shubman Gill’s heated confrontation with England opener Zak Crawley during the third Test at Lord’s has sparked wide debate — and now, former England cricketer Mark Ramprakash has backed Gill, accusing Crawley of deliberately pushing the limits of sportsmanship.
The drama unfolded late on Day 3, when Crawley repeatedly backed away during Jasprit Bumrah’s over, seemingly to ensure India couldn’t get in another over before stumps. Gill, visibly furious, confronted Crawley and let his frustration spill over in a verbal spat that shocked many.
‘Time-Wasting and Theatrics’
In a strongly worded column for The Guardian, Ramprakash criticized Crawley’s behavior, saying:
“Crawley should have just got on with it… I thought he pushed things too far.”
He noted that England’s bowlers were four overs behind the rate that day, followed by a leisurely drinks break with no urgency — a sequence that set the tone for the escalating tension.
The flashpoint came when Crawley interrupted Bumrah’s run-up, later seeking medical attention for a glove injury. The Indian players responded with sarcastic applause, while Gill confronted Crawley on the field. The umpires did not intervene meaningfully, drawing criticism for failing to control the situation.
Gill Speaks Out, Questions ‘Spirit of the Game’
Addressing the media ahead of the Manchester Test, Gill detailed how England’s openers arrived 90 seconds late to the crease and continued to waste time:
“Things weren’t done in the right fashion. That’s why I lost my cool,” said Gill, questioning England’s adherence to the spirit of the game.
‘Didn’t Know He Had That in Him’
Ramprakash admitted he was surprised at Gill’s fiery response:
“I didn’t know he had that in him. But moments like this show how together a team is. His players backed him. That speaks volumes.”
While Ramprakash acknowledged that some might see Crawley’s delay tactics as professionalism, he emphasized that lack of umpiring control led to a breakdown in on-field discipline.
Looking Ahead: Manchester Test Begins Today
With England leading the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-1, the series heads to Manchester for the fourth Test beginning July 23. Tensions are expected to remain high as both teams aim to gain the upper hand.
Also making headlines ahead of the Test:
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Sai Sudharsan declined a batting spot despite Gill’s request, but is confirmed to play.
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Anshul Kamboj is close to debuting, while Akash Deep remains in contention.
The high-stakes clash will not only test cricketing skills but also the emotional resilience and sportsmanship of both teams.
