The third day of the Lord’s Check between England and India was full of motion, aggression, and controversy. Whereas India continued to construct on their momentum with a robust batting show, tempers flared within the commentary field as legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed his anger over England’s persistent use of the short-ball tactic towards an injured Rishabh Pant. The aggressive method from Ben Stokes and his seamers raised critical questions in regards to the spirit of the sport.
Sunil Gavaskar lambasts England for utilizing bodyline tactic towards Rishabh Pant
Gavaskar didn’t mince phrases as he slammed England’s short-ball barrage geared toward Pant, who was visibly scuffling with a bruised left index finger. England captain Ben Stokes unleashed a barrage of bouncers early within the day, focusing on Pant’s higher physique with six fielders crowding the leg facet. With over 50% of the deliveries bowled within the morning session being short-pitched, Gavaskar known as out the house facet’s method as “unfair and harmful.”
Talking on air, the previous Indian captain mentioned, “Fifty-six % of the balls at present have been brief. They’ve 4 males on the boundary ready for a high edge. That’s not cricket, based on me. This isn’t within the spirit of the sport. When the West Indies had been doing this, the ICC stepped in. Why not now?”
He additionally urged ICC Males’s Cricket Committee chairman Sourav Ganguly to step in and tackle fielding restrictions. “There shouldn’t be greater than six fielders on the leg facet. This tactic goes past aggressive cricket—it’s outright focusing on,” he added.
Additionally WATCH: ENG vs IND – Jofra Archer hurls his quickest over as every delivery breaches 90 MPH mark on Day 3 of Lord’s Test
Pant’s gritty effort regardless of harm
Regardless of the hostile bowling and ache in his left hand, Pant put up a courageous battle. The wicketkeeper-batter had injured his finger whereas gathering deliveries behind the stumps on Day 1 and needed to quickly depart the sphere. But, exhibiting exceptional resilience, he returned to bat on Day 3 and performed a counter-attacking knock.
Pant shared an important 100-plus stand with KL Rahul that helped India dominate the session. He refused to shrink back from the problem, whilst bouncers saved crashing into his gloves and physique. His combating innings ended at 74 off 112 balls, when a dangerous single resulted in a run-out simply earlier than lunch. With 416 runs within the collection to date, Pant continues to be one in all India’s most important performers.
Additionally READ: ENG vs IND: Fans go berserk as KL Rahul hits a gritty century on Day 3 of the Lord’s Test
