The last five minutes of the third day of the third Test match between England and India at Lord’s summed up the series pretty well. Even after three days’ of batting between the two sides, there was no winner in the first innings. That was the ninth time in the red-ball history that scores had been tied after both teams’ first innings. The last occasion was against New Zealand by England in 2015 at Leeds.

India delayed their proceedings in the last half an hour, but still they got to 387 and matched the first innings score of the home side. With six minutes left till the end of the day’s play, the Ben Stokes-led side should have played at least two overs in the evening before stumps. But, as expected, and most would have, both openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett killed 90 seconds. But then walked in Shubman Gill, the Indian captain. 

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Jasprit Bumrah, fresh from his five-wicket haul at Lord’s, stood on his run-up. The very first ball of the over was way outside the off-stump as the batter left it without any hesitation. The second ball was pushed back to the bowler by the Kent opener. But drama began at that point. As Bumrah was running in, Crawley pulled away at the last minute.

WATCH: Shubman Gill sledges Zak Crawley during ENG vs IND 2025 Test

Captain of India, Shubman Gill, was standing at the slip corridor, and he sledged Crawley with a ‘show some fu**ing balls’ comment as the batter was wasting time with every single method. Suddenly, Duckett started to walk on the other end of the 22-yard and made sure that the clock ticked past 6:30 in the evening.

Shubman Gill abusing Zak Crawley for wasting time deliberately 😭 pic.twitter.com/HNHgIZqShl

— HXF (@_invincible11) July 12, 2025

The fifth ball of the over smashed the right-handed batter on his gloves as he looked in serious pain. He also called for some medical treatment, pointing towards the dressing room. The physio came in as Gill rushed to the batter and started to applaud him sarcastically. After a word with him, the Punjab-born discussed something with Duckett.

It just took the memory back to Sydney earlier this year when Usman Khawaja was hunted in the same process. But this time, Crawley survived. At least for 17 hours, he could take his eyes off. But with an average of 30 and a career on line, besides the theater, it will be incredibly hard for him on the fourth morning.