Indian fielders Shubman Gill and Sarfaraz Khan engaged in a verbal confrontation with England batsman Jonny Bairstow on Day 3 of the fifth Test in Dharamsala on March 9.
The exchange, captured by the stump mic, initiated with Bairstow inquiring about Gill’s discussion with James Anderson on Day 2 and concluded with Sarfaraz making a derogatory remark about Bairstow’s performance in the series.
India maintained their control on Day 3 of the Test, limiting England to 103/5 in their second innings by lunch. Bairstow, participating in his 100th Test, was removed by Kuldeep Yadav after scoring 39 off 31 balls, a quick innings comprising three fours and three sixes.
While batting, Bairstow exchanged words with certain Indian fielders. The dialogue unfolded as follows:
Bairstow: What did you say to Jimmy about him retiring?
Gill: Retire.
Bairstow: Then he got you out next ball.
Gill: So what? …. He can get me out after 100. How many 100s did you score?
Bairstow: How many did you score? Full stop.
Another player, potentially wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, joined the conversation and was overheard making a remark:
“Jonny bhai, easy”
Sarfaraz subsequently entered the exchange and commented:
“Chup baithne bol isko. Thoda sa run kya bana liye zyaada uchal raha hai.” [Ask him to keep quiet. He has just scored a few runs].
Verbal exchanges between players from both sides have occurred in the ongoing Dharamsala Test. On Day 2, Gill and Anderson were observed engaging in a conversation after Gill hit a six off the England pacer.
In his remarks after the conclusion of the second day’s play, Gill, in response to a question about the conversation, playfully answered:
“I think it would be better for both of us to keep that chat in private!”
Curiously, the interaction between Gill and Anderson served as the catalyst for the conversation between Bairstow and Gill on Saturday.
Bairstow squanders another good start as England heads towards a significant defeat
After dismissing India’s two remaining wickets early on Day 3, England aimed for a sturdy start with the bat in their second innings. However, they encountered a setback by losing half of their side in the opening session.
Ravichandran Ashwin, participating in his 100th Test alongside Bairstow, claimed the wickets of Ben Duckett (2), Zak Crawley (0), and Ollie Pope (19), leaving England struggling at 36/3.
Bairstow resisted for a period before falling lbw to Kuldeep, who delivered a sharply turning ball that caught him in front of the stumps.
Ashwin concluded Ben Stokes’ challenging series with the bat by dismissing him for 2, breaching the batter’s defense with a delivery that crashed through.
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