Southee Accuses Gill of Double Standards in Fiery End to Day 3
Day 3 of the ongoing India vs England 3rd Test at Lord’s ended not just in cricketing drama, but emotional outbursts and accusations. As shadows lengthened across the historic ground, the cricketing tension reached boiling point. Tim Southee, the former New Zealand quick now part of England’s coaching staff, accused India’s skipper Shubman Gill of double standards in the final moments of the day.
What should have been a calm close to an evenly matched Test turned into a verbal showdown, with fingers pointed and tempers frayed. The incident began when England opener Zak Crawley twice pulled away from his stance just as Jasprit Bumrah was about to deliver — triggering visible anger from Gill and animated reactions from Indian fielders. Southee accuses Gill of double standards
🎯 The Flashpoint: Crawley’s Delay and Gill’s Frustration
With the day winding down and six minutes left, India were pushing hard to bowl two overs. Crawley, appearing uncomfortable after taking a blow to his finger, called for the physio — but the Indian side didn’t offer the usual sympathy. Instead, Gill and his teammates clapped sarcastically, questioning the authenticity of the interruption. Southee accuses Gill of double standards
Caught on camera mouthing expletives, Gill’s frustration boiled over, leading to a fiery exchange that has since gone viral. Southee accuses Gill of double standards
🗣️ Southee’s Sharp Response: “Gill Got a Massage Too”
Reacting after play, Tim Southee didn’t hold back. He drew attention to Gill’s own back treatment during Day 2, saying the Indian skipper should be the last person to complain about delays.
“I’m not sure what they were complaining about when Shubman Gill was lying down getting a massage in the middle of the day yesterday,” Southee said.
“It’s obviously part of the game when you’re near the end of the day. It was exciting to see both sides animated.”
Southee did, however, temper his criticism by calling it “just a bit of energy” after a hard-fought three days and praised the spirit of the series overall.
👀 Rahul’s Take: “We Knew What Crawley Was Doing”
Indian vice-captain KL Rahul, who had earlier scored a magnificent century, offered a nuanced view. Speaking to the media, he said: Southee accuses Gill of double standards
“As an opener, I know exactly what was going on. You understand why someone would do that at the end of the day.”
He acknowledged that India had six minutes to bowl, making it a no-brainer to push for two overs. Rahul stopped short of directly calling Crawley out but hinted at deliberate gamesmanship:
“A wicket at the end would’ve been perfect. But even without that, we’ll be fired up tomorrow.”
🧠 Psychological Warfare or Tactical Delay?
This wasn’t just about one batter pulling away. It was a game within a game — a battle of intent, pressure, and composure. England, possibly rattled by India’s momentum, may have sought to slow down the pace, avoid exposing their openers to tricky overs under fading light. Southee accuses Gill of double standards
India, sensing a breakthrough, saw it as their opportunity to tilt the balance heading into Day 4.
🕰️ Time Wasted, Emotions Spilled
As Crawley walked back into the dressing room, the clock ticked away precious minutes. What could have been two overs of fiery Bumrah and Siraj spells became just one over, thanks to a combination of slow walking, on-field delays, and subtle stalling. Southee accuses Gill of double standards
India’s players walked toward Crawley during his treatment, clapping in unison — not out of concern but sarcasm. The body language said it all. Southee accuses Gill of double standards
📺 Social Media Reacts: “Fire in Lord’s!”
Fans and pundits were quick to react:
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“Gill showing fire. This is leadership!”
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“Crawley playing mind games. England rattled!”
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“Southee stirring the pot. Classic Kiwi!”
The drama has added a layer of spice to what’s already a gripping contest.
📊 Score Snapshot at Stumps – Day 3
| Team | Score | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| England 1st Innings | 387 all out | Root 104, Carse 56, Smith 51 |
| India 1st Innings | 387 all out | Rahul 100, Pant 74, Jadeja 72 |
| England 2nd Innings | 2/0 (1 over) | Crawley & Duckett at crease |
🔥 The Stakes for Day 4
With both teams tied on 387, and England resuming at 2/0, Day 4 promises drama, intensity, and high-quality cricket. Bumrah is fresh. The pitch is offering bounce. And emotions are already running high after the Day 3 climax. Southee accuses Gill of double standards
Will India channel this energy into early wickets? Or will England ride the psychological edge?
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