The former Indian batter, Sanjay Manjrekar, has raised questions over the current captain, Shubman Gill, for the latter’s heated exchange on the third evening session of the third Test against England at Lord’s as the visitors start preparation after the 22-run defeat in the fourth game at Old Trafford in Manchester. Gill, who smashed two centuries and one double century in the first two games, failed at Lord’s.

In the third game, Gill managed just six runs in the second innings after the altercation. It started when the England opener, Zak Crawley, looked to waste time to avoid an extra over after Jasprit Bumrah’s opening over of the third innings. Manjrekar has compared Gill with the former captain, Virat Kohli, who used to get better after sledging.

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‘The thing with Virat Kohli was that he would get even more fired up and become a better batter [if things got nasty]. What disappointed me with Shubman Gill - and that's why I was wondering, where is Shubman Gill heading? - because that seemed like it didn't have the right effect on Shubman Gill, the batter.’ Manjrekar expressed during a recent video posted by ESPNcricinfo.

Sanjay Manjrekar questions Shubman Gill’s sledging for defeat at Lord’s

Gill arrived in London for the third game with 485 runs in his bag in the series, but the home side came out with a different plan as they stopped his usual singles and doubles to keep the scorecard moving. Jamie Smith, the wicket-keeper, walked up to the stumps to deny the right-handed batter using his feet.

Is Gill better off without the Kohli 😡 ?

Sanjay Manjrekar shares his thoughts on #MatchDay pic.twitter.com/RHTzlXr5K6

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 18, 2025

‘If Shubman Gill had that kind of a fiery side to him, we would have seen it a little earlier. You don't have to show it when you're the captain. Or did he show it because he's got this confidence now that he's won a Test match and scored so many runs? "Because with Virat Kohli, you could see he was ready for a scrap. He was always looking to get into the thick of things - even before he was captain.’ The former Mumbai batter has addressed.

India now goes to Manchester with a 2-1 deficit in the series. It’s a ground where the visiting side is yet to win a Test match in nine attempts, with four defeats.