India's pacer Prasidh Krishna and England's veteran batter Joe Root were again spotted exchanging verbal volleys on Day 4 of the series-deciding fifth Test being played at the Oval. The fifth and final Test is poised for a thrilling finish where both teams are battling hard to win the match.
Prasidh Krishna-Joe Root's war of words in Oval Test continues
The verbal back-and-forth between the two players had started earlier in the match. On Day 2, Prasidh Krishna had attempted to unsettle Root with some sledging. Root had responded, and umpire Kumar Dharmasena had to step in to calm the situation. After play, Prasidh admitted that it was his plan to try and distract Root.
The latest incident occurred after the fifth ball of the 23rd over in England’s second innings. After Root pushed a good-length delivery from Prasidh and took a quick single, the Indian bowler walked towards him and appeared to say something. This time, however, Root did not respond. The exchange showed that the tension between the two players had not cooled since their first clash.
Talking about the match, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna dismissed England's openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who are chasing a target of 374. Siraj removed Crawley for 14 on Day 3, while Krishna took the wicket of Duckett, who scored 54, during the morning session. Later, Siraj returned back to hunt down Ollie Pope for 27 to leave England at 164/3 by lunch on Day 4.
With the series standing at 2-1 in England's favor, India must win the final Test to level the five-match series. India's sole victory came in the second Test at Edgbaston, while England won the first and third matches. The fourth Test in Manchester ended in a draw, keeping the series alive. In the final Test, India were bowled out for 224 in their first innings after being put in to bat. Gus Atkinson was the star bowler for England, taking a five-wicket haul. In response, England scored 247, gaining a narrow 23-run lead. For India, both Siraj and Krishna claimed four wickets each. The Indian team made a strong comeback in their second innings, posting a total of 396. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the top scorer with 118 runs, and nightwatchman Akash Deep contributed a crucial 66. All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar also added valuable half-centuries.