Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley’s On-Field Spat Sparks Drama
Credit: - The Indian Express
The cricket match between India and England ended with high tension after both teams tied the first innings. With just six minutes left, England’s Zak Crawley delayed play, gardening the pitch and waving off distractions behind bowler Jasprit Bumrah. Shubman Gill, India’s captain, confronted Crawley after he stalled twice before the third ball, leading to a brief exchange with Ben Duckett stepping in.
More words were exchanged when Crawley tapped his bat down the pitch before the fifth ball, which struck his fingers, prompting him to call for the physio. Indian fielders, including Gill, sarcastically clapped as Crawley writhed in pain. Gill then pointed and verbally challenged Crawley, who responded in kind. Duckett and Gill had another close encounter, diffused by KL Rahul’s intervention. After the final ball, Crawley and Mohammed Siraj exchanged more words, though some smiles emerged between Duckett and the Indians.
On Jio Sports, Jonathan Trott, former England batsman and recent Afghanistan coach, criticized Gill’s confrontational style, hinting it echoed a former Indian captain’s aggression, possibly Virat Kohli. He urged captains to set a better tone despite the competitive spirit. Anil Kumble, former India captain, noted Gill’s unusually animated behavior, recalling his verbal exchanges in England’s first innings, and smiled while offering a calm perspective.