Former India head coach and current commentator Sanjay Bangar came under heavy criticism for making body-shaming remarks during live coverage of the ongoing fifth Test between India and England at The Oval.
The controversial comment occurred on Day 3 of the Test, during a discussion on the changing nature of the pitch. Bangar, while analysing the surface conditions, veered into problematic territory when he appeared to mock the physical appearance of the Oval`s pitch curator.
“That indeed is a very heavy roller, I must say. Not necessarily for the weight of the roller, but also the weight of the groundsman sitting on it,” Bangar said on Star Sports.
The pitch, which had looked lush and green over the first two days, providing significant assistance to fast bowlers, began to take on a noticeably browner hue on the third day, with much of the grass seemingly worn away. Bangar attributed this change to the use of a heavy roller, intended to flatten and harden the surface.
Meanwhile, England, chasing a record 374-run target, require just 57 more runs with six wickets in hand at tea on Day 4. India, however, will back their bowlers to exploit the challenging pitch conditions and level the series 2-2.
Resuming the day at 50 for 1, England needed a daunting 324 runs on the final day. The pitch, far more testing than the one in Leeds where England chased down 371 with relative ease, has already offered ample encouragement to the bowlers.
India struck early through Prasidh Krishna, who made an immediate impact in his opening over of the morning. The lanky pacer lured Ben Duckett into a loose drive and had him caught at second slip.
Mohammed Siraj, who had removed Zak Crawley with the final delivery on Day 3, continued to lead India’s charge with fiery intensity. He bowled a probing spell alongside Akash Deep, troubling both Duckett and Ollie Pope with seam movement and bounce.
Siraj was eventually rewarded for his perseverance when he dismissed Pope for the second time in the match, trapping him leg-before with a sharp nip-backer off a wobbled seam. Pope, having struck three crisp boundaries off Krishna just an over earlier, was beginning to settle before Siraj halted his progress.
At the crease, Joe Root (23* off 46) has looked composed, showcasing his class with two elegant cover drives off Siraj. Partnering him is the aggressive Harry Brook, who is unbeaten on 38 off 30 balls.
Brook survived a major scare early in his innings when he miscued a pull off Prasidh Krishna, only for Siraj, positioned at fine leg, to step on the boundary cushion after completing the catch, turning a dismissal into a six. Prior to that, Brook also launched Akash Deep over cover for a majestic six, maintaining England’s attacking intent.
Both Siraj and Prasidh have toiled tirelessly, each delivering eight overs on the trot in what could be the final day of a fiercely contested five-match series. Their relentless spells have kept India in the hunt, as the pitch continues to offer variable bounce and seam movement.
