IND vs ENG 3rd Test: Shubman Gill Clashes With England Openers Over Time-Wasting Tactics On Day 3- WATCH

Tensions ran high at Lord's on Day 3 of the ongoing Test between India and England, as Indian skipper Shubman Gill lost his cool over what appeared to be deliberate time-wasting tactics from England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley.

The drama unfolded in the final few minutes of play, when India were pushing hard to squeeze in a second over before Stumps.

With just over five minutes remaining in the day, England were asked to bat again after the first innings ended in a rare tie. India's bowlers, especially Jasprit Bumrah, were eager to attack the fatigued English openers under fading light. However, Crawley's repeated movements away from his stance disrupted Bumrah's rhythm, preventing him from completing his over quickly.

Frustration boiled over after the fourth ball of the over, when Crawley stepped away yet again. Shubman Gill, visibly furious, walked up to the batter and exchanged sharp words, prompting an equally fiery response from the English pair. Things escalated when Crawley was struck on the hand by the fifth ball and immediately signalled for the physio. Gill approached him with sarcastic applause, questioning the delay. Duckett stepped in to mediate, but Gill continued his protest, pointing fingers and going nearly chest-to-chest with the openers.

Indian players like Mohammed Siraj and Karun Nair also joined the verbal fray, clearly frustrated at the tactics being employed. Bumrah, for his part, tried to stay composed but would no doubt have been disappointed not to test Crawley more in that over.

Eventually, the over was completed and England walked off at 2/0, holding a slender two-run lead. The tension lingered as the players made their way off the field, with the Indian side still visibly agitated by what they saw as gamesmanship.

While such confrontations aren't uncommon in Test cricket, especially in high-stakes encounters, this flare-up sets the tone for what promises to be a fiery fourth day at Lord's.