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Prasidh Krishna Surprised by Joe Root’s Heated Reaction in Oval Test
India pacer Prasidh Krishna revealed he was taken aback by Joe Root’s rare show of aggression during Day 2 of the fifth Test at The Oval. Known for his composed demeanor, Root responded with uncharacteristic fire after a brief exchange of words with the Indian fast bowler — a moment that added more spark to an already intense series.
Root’s Unexpected Response to On-Field Banter
The incident occurred when England were cruising at 129/2 in reply to India’s first-innings total of 224. Prasidh, finding his rhythm in the second session, dismissed Zak Crawley and followed up with a sharp delivery that beat Root outside off-stump. The bowler, energized by the breakthrough, offered a few words during his follow-through — a move that didn’t sit well with Root.
In the very next delivery, Root responded emphatically by steering a boundary through the gully region, adding a verbal reaction of his own. The situation drew umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s attention, leading to a brief intervention that also involved KL Rahul stepping in to back his bowler.
Prasidh Clarifies the Incident
Speaking to the BBC’s Test Match Special, Prasidh played down the exchange, saying,
“I just said, ‘You’re looking in great shape,’ and then it turned into a lot of abuse and all of that.”
At the post-day press conference, he expanded on the strategy behind the moment:
“That was the plan, but I didn’t expect the couple of words I said to get such a big reaction from him. That’s just who I am when I’m bowling. It helps me when I can get under the batter’s nerves and get a reaction. But I love the guy that he is. He’s a legend of the game.”
The brief flare-up, according to Prasidh, wasn’t personal but more about elevating his own intensity. He emphasized mutual respect and praised Root for his competitive spirit.
England Camp Plays Down Verbal Clash
England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the exchange wasn’t particularly out of line.
“Maybe they saw him [Root] play so well in previous games that India tried a different approach, and Joe bit back. Normally he laughs things off, but today he chose a different route.”
Trescothick acknowledged that emotional responses are part of high-stakes matches and indicated no further concern within the England camp.
More Heated Moments During the Day
The second day’s play was peppered with micro flashpoints. Earlier, Akash Deep had put his arm around Ben Duckett after dismissing him — a gesture that caught England off guard.
“You just don’t really see it,” Trescothick noted. “Many in county cricket would have responded differently.”
Another incident occurred closer to stumps when Sai Sudharsan was involved in a verbal exchange with Duckett following an LBW dismissal.
These episodes highlighted the rising tension and competitive edge in what has been a closely fought Test series.
India Slightly Ahead at the Close of Day 2
By stumps, India had managed to take a slender lead of 52 runs, turning the match into a tantalizing contest. The fiery exchanges and bold performances on both sides only added to the narrative of an enthralling finale.
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