New Delhi: Tempers were flaring on day 3 of the fifth test match between India and England at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala as Shubman Gill and Jonny Bairstow got into an heated argument.
The players involved were Indian batters Shubman Gill, Sarfaraz Khan, and wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel, along with England batter Jonny Bairstow. This was the first instance of India and England cricketers getting involved in a serious sledging episode in the entire series, which has been played in very good spirits.
Jasprit Bumrah, who was leading India in Rohit Sharma’s absence, threw the ball to first-innings hero Kuldeep Yadav after Ravichandran Ashwin had already put India in a commanding position. As Kuldeep Yadav was gearing up to bowl his first ball in the 18th over of England’s second innings, stump mics caught Bairstow having a go at Gill, who was standing in the slip cordon.
Bairstow was reminding Gill how Anderson got him clean bowled on Day 2 after the Indian batter was involved in a banter with the England legend. Bairstow alleged Gill of telling Anderson to retie. Gill was quick to hit back, saying it happened only after he had crossed his century. Gill also took a dig at Bairstow for underperforming in the series. Then Jurel was heard trying to calm Bairstow down. Sarfaraz, standing at forward short leg, was quick to join after Kuldeep bowled his first ball.
Jonny Bairstow: “What did you say to Jimmy (Anderson) about retiring or getting dropped and he got you out after that?”
Shubman Gill: “So what, it was after my 100. He can get me out after a 100. how many (runs) have you got here?”
Jonny Bairstow: “How many you scored when the ball swung?”
Dhruv Jurel: “Jonny bhai easy!”
Sarfaraz Khan: “Thode se runs kya bana diya, jyada uchal raha hain (scored a few runs today and jumping too much).”
Shubman Gill, when asked about his conversation with Anderson after the end of play on Day 2, decided to keep it confidential. “I think it would be best for both of us to keep that chat between us,” Shubman told broadcasters after the match.
However, the sledging incident did not end well for Bairstow. Three balls later, Kuldeep got one to spin sharply and struck Bairstow on his pads. When Bairstow was walking off, he again said something to Gill, who responded in kind.
Notably, Anderson became the first bowler in the history of cricket to take 700 wickets in Tests.
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