IND Vs ENG 3rd Test: Zak Crawley's Delay Drama At Lord's Grabs Eyeballs On Day 3 - Who Said What

The way things unfolded on Day 3 of the India vs England 3rd Test was pure drama and it’s got the entire cricket world buzzing. Zak Crawley deliberately slowed things down in the final over, denying Jasprit Bumrah a chance to bowl one more. That didn’t sit well with India captain Shubman Gill, who was clearly frustrated on the field. And the tension didn’t stop there -- England bowling consultant Tim Southee later took a cheeky dig at Gill. Others came in to comment as well. Let's see who said what in the drama

India restricted England to 387 in their first innings of the third Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Thursday, riding high on the back of their massive 336-run win at Edgbaston that had levelled the series 1-1. On Day 3, India responded in style by matching England’s total, ending their first innings at 387 as well -- setting up a perfectly levelled battle so far.

Follow India Vs England LIVE Cricket Score, 3rd Test Day 4

But the final moments of the day sparked major drama. England faced just one over before stumps, finishing at 2/0, as opener Zak Crawley’s deliberate time-wasting tactics ensured Jasprit Bumrah couldn’t bowl a second over. Crawley repeatedly walked away from the crease, to which Bumrah responded with a sarcastic applause. Tensions boiled over when India skipper Shubman Gill was caught by the stump mic yelling, “Grow some f****** ba**s.”

Later, Gill explained the situation: “I’ve seen him fired up, but obviously we wanted to bowl two overs. There were six minutes left. Two overs is a no-brainer -- any team would bowl them with six minutes to go.”

But not everyone agreed with Shubman Gill’s frustration. Especially, Tim Southee, who felt the outrage was a bit of a double standard, pointing out a similar incident involving the Indian captain on Day 2.

“It’s good -- always exciting to see both sides animated towards the end,” Southee said. “Not sure what they were complaining about when Gill was lying down getting a massage in the middle of the day yesterday. It’s obviously part of the game.”

Meanwhile, KL Rahul, who played a pivotal role in India’s innings with a century, took a more measured view. He admitted Crawley’s tactics made sense from a batter’s perspective.

“Yeah, he (Crawley) will be assessed overnight. Hope he'll be alright to carry on tomorrow,” Rahul said, adding, “What happened at the end is just part of the game now. I understand from an opening batter’s point of view. I know exactly what was going on, and everyone knows exactly what was going on.”

“It’s a bit of theatrics at the end,” Rahul continued. “We were all pumped up either way because we know how difficult it is for a batter to come in to bat for two overs after being in the field all day. We were hoping to grab a wicket, and one at the end of the day would’ve been perfect for us.”

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also chimed in with his take, praising the drama but calling out both sides for similar behavior.

“It’s as good a piece of time-wasting as I’ve ever seen,” Vaughan said on the Test Match Special podcast.

“India can’t complain because yesterday Gill was down with a hamstring strain -- Rahul was off the field and wouldn’t have been able to open the batting. Neither team can complain, but what great drama and what a great day. We’re in for a fourth and fifth day that will be fantastic.”

Also, the former England captain Sir Alastair Cook believed to take things easy as things like this happens in red ball games. "Everyone has been so friendly, but this always happens in a five match Test series," he said.

Stuart Broad took an interest into the matter as well. The former England pacer said, "I’ve been moaning about slow play so feels strange to me that my favourite over of the series, the final one of the day, lasted 7 minutes."

Yet again, it's a very warm weather at the Lord's as the 3rd Test heads into Day 4, with both sides fully aware of how much is at stake. England will resume today with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett at the crease.