Shubman Gill smiles as Zak Crawley resorts to time-wasting tactics like Lord's, then double-bluffs him to getting bowled; watch viral video

On Day 3, India set a 374-run target for England at Kennington Oval, London. The Indian bowlers were desperate for a wicket in the last session as the visitors did not want a repeat of first innings. They wanted to break the opening partnership before they went back to the dressing room. Once again, it was in the last over that the crowd came alive. Before Mohammed Siraj was about to bowl the second ball of the last over of Day 3, opener Zak Crawley pulled away at the last time. Crawley resorted to time-wasting tactics but this time Shubman Gill responded with a smile, unlike the Lord’s Test. However, he followed it up with a plan to leave Crawley bamboozled.

Even Crawley was smiling as he knew he was poking the Indian captain and Siraj. Before the penultimate ball of Day 3, Gill double-bluffed Crawley by sending a fielder in the deep. The English opener felt Siraj is going to bowl short. However, it was the opposite, he bowled it fuller, swinging into the stumps. Crawley did not have an answer as the ball passed the bat and crashed into the stumps.

ALSO READ: 'Sometimes vice-captains aren't brilliant captains': Michael Vaughan wants this player to lead England instead of Ollie Pope in Ben Stokes' absence

After Day 3's play, legendary Sunil Gavaskar lauded Gill for the move that led to Crawley's dismissal.

"That last move was fantastic. Sending a fielder there and bowling a yorker,” Gavaskar said in a conversation with Gill as he gifted him a signed cap and shirt.

Crawley, Duckett combine to break Windies openers’ long-standing record vs India

Crawley returned to the pavillion after scoring 14 runs from 36 balls. He shared a 50-run partnership with Ben Duckett. Despite losing wicket early in the run chase, Crawley entered record books. This was Crawley and Duckett's ninth fifty-plus stand against India in Tests. The previous record belonged to West Indies' Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes who shared eight fifty-plus opening partnership in red-ball cricket against India.

ALSO READ: 'A small auction is coming in December. Some loopholes are...': MS Dhoni's message to CSK fans after finishing 10th in IPL 2025

Crawley’s Test average doesn’t do him a favour

Crawley finished the series with 290 runs from nine innings at an average of 32.22, including three half-centuries. He has been on the receiving end of criticism because of his under par average of 31.55 from 59 Tests. There have been questions raised over whether he should be on the flight to Australia for the Ashes 2025-26 later this year.