Shubman Gill Defended from Hate Over Zak Crawley Altercation: “You Go and Give It to Him”

Shubman Gill has faced criticism for his Virat Kohli-like on-field demeanor, with many suggesting it contributed to England's victory at Lord's.

Shubman Gill Defended from Hate Over Zak Crawley Altercation: “You Go and Give It to Him”

Aakash Chopra defended Shubman Gill, over his altercation with Zak Crawley on the third day of the Lord's Test. (via NDTV Sports)

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Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra strongly defended Indian red-ball captain Shubman Gill’s actions, during the third Test against England at Lord’s. Chopra asserted that Gill’s altercation with English opener Zak Crawley over his time-wasting antics, was justified. 

India’s disappointing last-gasp defeat to England in the third Test match at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, was characterized by relentless banter, sledging, and intense rivalry, evoking memories of past encounters. Despite India restricting England to 192 runs in the second innings, the Three Lions managed to narrowly edge past with a superb bowling display, limiting India to 170 runs and securing a narrow 22-run victory.

Indian captain Shubman Gill found himself under the scanner, for a heated altercation on third day of the Lord’s Test. With England batting in their second innings and only ten minutes left before stumps, opener Zak Crawley resorted to time-wasting tactics to avoid facing more than one over that day. It angered the Indian players and captain Gill, who was seen gesturing for Crawley to return to the pavilion, leading to an ugly argument between the two. 

Shubman Gill even made some crude gestures to express his frustration at Crawley, after the English opener repeatedly stepped down the pitch to prevent Jasprit Bumrah from completing his delivery, thus delaying the over. Thereafter, the Indian captain’s actions were increasingly scrutinized by cricket experts and fans, who suggested that the verbal aggression displayed by Gill was completely unnecessary.

However, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has come out in support of Gill, asserting that the Indian captain was correct in confronting Zak Crawley. On his YouTube channel, Chopra stated that he observed many people claiming the argument with Crawley benefited England, and that Gill was imitating former Indian captain Virat Kohli. Countering these views, he suggested that Shubman Gill’s actions were appropriate and, as captain, it was his duty to address the situation.

I was reading somewhere that Shubman Gill shouldn’t have argued with Zak Crawley as it worked in favor of England. I would say there was nothing wrong and as a captain you feel it is your duty.

Aakash Chopra further asserted that it’s crucial for a captain to motivate his bowlers, and that Shubman Gill’s altercation was perfectly timed. While Chopra conceded that Zak Crawley’s attempt to avoid facing a second over was not inherently wrong, given many cricketers have done so previously, he emphasized that the bowling team also has a right to give it back to the batter, which he stated that Gill fairly did by reminding Crawley that his actions were unsportsmanlike. Chopra added:

If [Zak] Crawley doesn’t want the second over to be bowled, it is also fine. However, the other side has the right to give it back to the batter.

Keeping aside the criticism, Shubman Gill has truly excelled in the ongoing India-England series. In the three matches played so far, he has amassed an impressive 607 runs at an average of 101.17, including two centuries and a double-century, including a magnificent 269 at Edgbaston.

Shubman Gill Slips to No. 9 in ICC Test Batting Rankings After Lord’s Test, Joe Root Back on Top 

The third Test between India and England has once again shaken up the ICC Test Player Rankings. Indian captain Shubman Gill, after having jumped to a career-best no. 6 spot after his Edgbaston heroics, has dropped down to the no. 9 spot. 

Shubman Gill Joe Root Test Rankings
Shubman Gill dropped the places on the ICC Test Batting rankings, while Joe Root reclaimed the top spot. (via NDTV Sports)

Shubman Gill’s disappointing performance at Lord’s, where he scored just 22 runs across both innings, has led to a drop in his ICC Test Batting ranking. Rishabh Pant also fell one spot to number 8, despite his first-innings knock of 74 runs. On the other hand, Englishman Joe Root, following his scintillating hundred in the first innings at Lord’s, has reclaimed his number one spot on the rankings, overtaking Harry Brook.

Meanwhile, in the bowling rankings, Jasprit Bumrah maintained his top position after claiming seven wickets. Interestingly, all five members of Australia’s Test bowling attack, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc, have now entered the top ten.