Mohammed Siraj was at his animated best on Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s, engaging in a cheeky sledge aimed at Joe Root. The incident unfolded during a tense passage of play post-lunch when India’s bowlers turned the screws on the English batters. Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj applied consistent pressure, and England found themselves unable to score freely, with a remarkable stretch of 28 consecutive dot balls.

It was during the 31st over that Siraj decided to mock England’s aggressive Bazball approach. Root, in an attempt to break the shackles, went for a shot that barely missed his outside edge due to extra bounce. That was all the invitation Siraj needed to chirp in. The fast bowler sarcastically encouraged Root to go for Bazball, saying, “Baz, Baz, Bazball. Now Play Bazball. I want to see.” The line drew laughter from some teammates and underscored Siraj’s trademark energy.

Earlier, England had gone into lunch at 85 for two and expected to be able to increase the scoring in the second session. However, India's fielders were sharp, and their bowlers refused to give away easy runs. Despite the branding of Bazball, England looked tentative and cautious, doing exactly what India wanted on a pitch with a bit of movement. It was a key moment in the day’s play where the balance remained evenly poised.

Nitish Reddy Breaks England’s Start After Drinks

Before Siraj’s Bazball sledge, it was Nitish Kumar Reddy who provided India with an important breakthrough. Just after the drinks break in the first session, he dismissed both openers—Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley—in the same over. While Duckett gloved one down the leg side to Pant, Crawley was done in by a delivery that shaped away. In between, Shubman Gill dropped a tough chance to dismiss Ollie Pope on zero.

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See Also: WATCH: Shubman Gill sledges Joe Root and Ollie Pope in ongoing ENG vs IND third Test

Despite the missed opportunity, India kept up the intensity and didn’t allow England to dictate terms. Siraj’s mockery of Root not only lifted the energy in the field but also added a layer of drama to a fiercely fought session of Test cricket.