India and England have been sparring for a fortnight, yet the flash-point everyone keeps returning to is a fairly mundane piece of time-management at Lord’s. India captain Shubman Gill still thinks it mattered.
“They were 90 seconds late to come to the pitch. Not 10, not 20. Ninety seconds late.” The line has done the rounds on social media and was repeated, almost word for word, by Gill on the eve of the Old Trafford Test.
Key facts first. Late on the third evening at Lord’s, England had seven minutes to negotiate before stumps. Zak Crawley took a glancing blow from Jasprit Bumrah, the physio jogged on, and the clock ticked. By the time Crawley and Ben Duckett actually took guard, only one over could be bowled. India fumed, words were exchanged, and the final two Tests of the series have carried that edge.
“A lot of people have been talking about it, so let me just clear the air once and for all,” Gill said. “The English batsmen on that day, they had seven minutes of play left. They were 90 seconds late to come to the pitch. Not 10, not 20. Ninety seconds late… Yes, most of the teams, they use this tactic. Even if we were in a position, we’d also like to play fewer overs, but there’s a manner to do it. And we felt, yes, if you get hit on your body, the physios are allowed to come on and that is something that is fair. But to be able to come 90 seconds late on the crease is not something that I would think comes in the spirit of the game.”
The India captain was seen letting England’s openers know exactly how he felt. He didn’t try to deny it. “And just leading up to that event, a lot of things that we thought should not have happened had happened,” he added. “And I wouldn’t say it was something that I’m very proud of, but there was a lead-up and build-up to that. It didn’t just come out of nowhere, and we had no intention of doing that whatsoever. But you’re playing a game, you’re playing to win, and there are a lot of emotions involved and when you see there are things happening that should not happen, sometimes the emotions come out of nowhere.”
England’s response has been equally forthright, if politely framed. Ben Stokes, calm as ever, insisted his side would not pre-plan verbal attacks but would not step back either. “I don’t think it is one of those things where we will necessarily just go out and start it,” Stokes said. “I don’t think either team has really looked to do that, but there will always be a moment in a series where things just heat up. It is a massive series, there is pressure on both teams to go out and perform. The environment when you are out there, there is going to some moments, some heat showing [up].”
Behind the scenes England coach Brendon McCullum was spotted on the Lord’s balcony urging his players to “turn the verbals higher” when Washington Sundar walked in. Washington had told reporters the previous day that India would “win comfortably”. England clearly disagreed.
Former quick Steve Harmison, never shy of a chat himself, thinks the odd confrontation keeps standards high. “Fire in the belly makes players play better,” he argued on local radio, while also warning that a line still exists. Match referee Richie Richardson agreed, holding quiet talks with both camps but issuing no formal sanctions.
The laws do not expressly cover late arrivals for a resumption, though umpires may report deliberate time-wasting. Ninety seconds is not much in everyday life, yet it is almost a full over of Test cricket. With light always a factor in England, that can feel decisive to bowlers hunting an extra chance before close.
Both dressing-rooms know bigger issues await at Old Trafford. India lead 2-1 and can wrap up the series; England need to win to keep the contest alive. Conditions in Manchester usually suit pace, and rain is in the forecast—small wonder captains are watching the clock.
Gill, at least, has made his point. Whether it shifts England’s approach, or is simply stored away for the next heated moment, remains to be seen. Either way, gloves are off, stop-watches are on, and the cricket itself should be worth the wait—provided everyone turns up on time.
