Watch- Zak Crawley pokes Shubman Gill with delay tactics again, Indian captain explodes
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English opener Zak Crawley once again resorted to his delay tactics at the end of Day 3; however, no controversies this time, as Indian skipper Shubman Gill acknowledged it with a broad smile and a shake of his head.
India has made a slight comeback in the final Test at the Oval, after their dismal show in the first innings. They were bowled out for just 224 runs, as the top order collapsed and Karun Nair remained the highest scorer in the innings with a half-century.
Just like Gus Atkinson ran the rampage for England, India had their two quicks, Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj, who stepped up on this occasion. Akash Deep was the first strike bowler, with Ben Duckett's important breakthrough, but it was Mohammed Siraj after Lunch and Prasidh Krishna after Tea, who brought glory to the Indians.
Shubman Gill responds to Zak Crawley tactics with a 'smile'
Despite a great start to their batting innings with an opening stand of 92 runs, England could manage only a lead of 23 runs. In return, the Indians have done a splendid job, with Yashasvi Jaiswal showing intent from the very first ball.
Jaiswal's hundred, Akash Deep's surprise package, and Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar's crucial fifties all led India to post a target of 374 runs in front of the English batters. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett again gave England a solid and quick start to their innings.
Despite two days of play left, Duckett looked quite in a hurry, though Crawley remained bothered by the Indian bowlers. The incident unfolded again in the final over of the English innings, when Zak Crawley pulled out midway through Mohammed Siraj's run-up.
Zak Crawley pointed towards the side screen, which seemed to be a similar tactic of wasting some time, a highlight of Day 3 at the Lord's.
However, this time there was no animation on the ground, as Indian skipper Shubman Gill and his side looked calm, and the captain responded with a broad smile on his face.
WATCH: Shubman Gill smiles at Zak Crawley's tactics
Crawley tried an old trick, Captain Gill, however, answered with a smile 😊 #SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings pic.twitter.com/4UOOftok5M
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) August 2, 2025
Mohammed Siraj tricked Crawley at the stroke of Stumps
Just after the time-wasting tactics unfolded, when the clock was ticking to reach 7 pm, Mohammed Siraj was bowling the final over of Day 3 at Lord's. England looked firm with 50 runs on the board without the fall of a wicket.
Siraj did not respond to Crawley pulling midway through his run-up; he instead fueled himself up for a magical delivery. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was inside the circle, was sent back just after the previous delivery, hence expecting a shorter delivery.
However, Siraj bluffed the English batter with a perfect off-stump yorker that uprooted his stumps, as he never seemed prepared for it. England lost their first wicket just at the end of Day 3.
England trail by 324 on Day 4; Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy decider gets exciting
India has set a target of 374 runs in front of the English batters. Last time at Leeds, when India posed a challenging 371 run target, the two English openers had a huge opening stand of 150+ runs, with Duckett single-handedly scoring 149 runs.
However, this time around, India has a quick breakthrough with the wicket of Zak Crawley. England are further on the backfoot with one man down, as Chris Woakes has been ruled out since Day 2, as he dislocated his shoulder in a fielding attempt to stop the boundary.
The fate of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy depends on this game, as India's win would lead to sharing of the trophy, while a draw or England's win would go in their favour.
ALSO READ: Watch: ‘Angry’ Ravindra Jadeja nearly punches and destroys stumps after Oval Test dismissal
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India National Cricket Team England National Cricket Team India vs England Shubman Gill Zak Crawley Mohammed Siraj
