Tempers flared during the third Test between England and India at Lord's on Saturday, July 12, 2025, when England's Zak Crawley and India's Shubman Gill were involved in a heated exchange. The incident, which has quickly gone viral, occurred in the final over of Day 3, adding spice to an already tense match.
With only a few minutes remaining in the day's play, Crawley's perceived time-wasting tactics infuriated the Indian team. After facing a few deliveries from Jasprit Bumrah, Crawley appeared to be in discomfort after getting hit on the gloves. He signaled for the team physio, a move that Gill and the Indian side saw as an attempt to run down the clock.
Gill responded by sarcastically mimicking Crawley's call for the physio, making an "X" gesture with his arms. This sparked a verbal confrontation between the two players, with reports suggesting Gill told Crawley to "grow some f***ing balls". The exchange escalated, drawing in other players, including England's Ben Duckett, who stood by his colleague. KL Rahul and the umpires intervened to diffuse the situation.
The stump microphones captured much of the heated exchange, further fueling the viral nature of the video clips. Cricket fans have been actively discussing the incident, with many supporting Gill's aggressive response to Crawley's tactics. Some fans have even dubbed Gill as the "perfect student of Virat Kohli," drawing comparisons to Kohli's fiery demeanor on the field.
The incident has added another layer of intrigue to the Test match, which is evenly poised. At the end of Day 3, England held a slender two-run lead, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling Day 4. The Crawley-Gill spat has not only intensified the rivalry between the two teams but has also placed Crawley under additional pressure. Some observers believe Crawley is now fighting for his place in the remaining Test matches of the series.
The confrontation has dominated discussions among cricket analysts and fans alike. Some have drawn parallels to past incidents, such as Virat Kohli's aggressive approach during the Lord's Test, where he motivated his team to maintain intensity for 60 overs. Others are speculating about the potential impact of the spat on Shubman Gill, with some suggesting that he might face increased scrutiny from the English media and cricket establishment.
Ultimately, the Zak Crawley-Shubman Gill incident has served to amplify the excitement surrounding the Test series. Whether it galvanizes either team remains to be seen, but it has undoubtedly added a compelling narrative to the ongoing battle between England and India.
