India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj has opened up about on-field sledging ahead of the fourth Test in the ongoing five-match series against England. The right-arm fast bowler stated that sledging could be used to break a batsman’s concentration in the upcoming match, depending on the situation.
England clinched a narrow 22-run win over India in a thrilling third Test at Lord’s. The five-day contest had plenty of drama, with emotions from both teams. Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley were seen exchanging words on Day 3. The visiting team was not happy with Crawley slowing down play before stumps.
Grow Some F****** B**s – Shubman Gill to Zak Crawley
Zak Crawley used time-wasting tactics during the final minutes before stumps. With just a few overs left to bowl, Crawley appeared to deliberately slow down proceedings, which led to frustration from India captain Shubman Gill, who was hoping to sneak in two overs under fading light.
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Only one over was bowled in seven minutes before stumps. Gill was heard shouting, “Grow some f****** ba**s” at Crawley after multiple interruptions in the same over.
The England bowlers later dismissed India for 170 while defending a target of 193 on the final day. Notably, the hosts took a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. With the next Test scheduled to begin on Wednesday, July 23, in Manchester, India faces a must-win situation to stay alive in the series.
“Looked Like 11 Against 2” – Harry Brook on Sledging
At the press conference, England batter Harry Brook was asked about the heated exchanges between players during the third Test. Brook stated that his team had a discussion and agreed to stand together, adding that he felt like it was 11 vs 2.
“We try and play in the spirit of the game as much as possible. Their lads went hard at Crawley and Duckett on that night when Bumrah bowled that single over. We watched that and we reassessed, and we thought this is the right time to give it back to them,” Brook said.
“We saw them guys going at Crawley and Duckett, so we had a little chat, and we thought ‘We are a team’, so we may as well combine with each other and get together and give it back to them. It looked like there was 11 vs 2 out there when we were fielding, and it was good fun. It was tiring, but it made fielding a lot more enjoyable,” he added.
“It was good fun” 🤣
Harry Brook reflects on the tension at Lord’s between England and India 🍿 pic.twitter.com/dyf6M0CyNV
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 21, 2025
Mohammed Siraj Opens Up on On-Field Sledging Ahead of Fourth Test
Mohammed Siraj also addressed the chatter surrounding the verbal exchanges during the third Test at Lord’s. Mohammed Siraj said that sledging isn’t something he plans in advance, and it happens spontaneously, depending on the intensity of the game.
“There’s no pre-planning. It happens in the moment. If a batter’s in the zone, you try to disturb him and get into his head. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But as a fast bowler, it’s fun,” Mohammed Siraj replied.
“Maybe. Depends on the situation. A little bit of chatter can shake things up,” Mohammed Siraj added.
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