Tempers flared and tension crackled through the air at Lord’s on day one of the third Test as India’s Mohammed Siraj added spice to an already gripping battle by openly mocking England’s ‘Bazball’ approach during a tight passage of play after lunch. With England struggling to score freely against some relentless Indian bowling, Siraj decided to let his voice be heard, directing some well-timed taunts at none other than Joe Root.
The moment came in the 31st over of England’s innings. Root was trying to break free from a stranglehold applied by Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj, who had dried up the scoring entirely. England had gone 28 consecutive deliveries without a run, with the Indian bowlers hitting the right lengths and the fielders backing them up with sharp placements. The Bazball mantra, aggressive, fearless cricket, seemed far away from what was unfolding.
Under pressure and eager to rotate the strike, Root attempted a shot off Siraj, only to be beaten by the extra bounce. The ball whistled past his bat’s edge, and Siraj, never one to miss an opportunity to chirp, took the moment to needle the former England captain.
“Baz, Baz, Bazball. Now play Bazball. I want to see,” Siraj shouted towards Root. The Indian pacer’s remark was a clear jab at England’s ultra-aggressive batting strategy under coach Brendon McCullum, that has earned praise but also scrutiny during tighter contests.
#MohammedSiraj turns up the spice at Lord’s! 🌶🔥
Joe Root was playing it safe… until Mohammed Siraj decided to knock on his mental front door with some classic banter! 🗣😏#ENGvIND 👉 3rd TEST, DAY 1 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar ➡ https://t.co/H1YUOckUwK pic.twitter.com/6VeulnpzbT
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 10, 2025
Meanwhile, the first session had belonged evenly to both sides. After being asked to bat first on a bright morning, England reached lunch at 85 for 2. Openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley got off to starts but couldn’t push on, largely thanks to disciplined bowling from Bumrah and company. Duckett, in particular, had looked promising until the introduction of Nitish Kumar Reddy changed the complexion of the session.
Reddy, playing just his third Test, turned the match in India’s favour by removing both Duckett and Crawley in the same over shortly after the drinks break. In between, a crucial moment almost slipped through India’s grasp when Shubman Gill dropped Ollie Pope at zero, that could have seen England in deeper trouble.
