The third day of the third Test at Lord's between India and England ended in dramatic fashion, with accusations of time-wasting taking center stage. England's opener, Zak Crawley, was at the heart of the controversy, repeatedly delaying play and calling for a physio after being hit on the finger. This ensured that he and Ben Duckett only had to face one over before the close, instead of two.

India's players, particularly captain Shubman Gill, reacted angrily to the delays. Gill was seen gesticulating and shouting expletives towards Crawley, adding to the tension on the field. England's fast-bowling consultant, Tim Southee, defended his team's tactics, pointing out that India had also engaged in time-wasting earlier in the match.

How the Final Over Unfolded

The first delivery of Jasprit Bumrah's over was delayed by almost two minutes, and Crawley's repeated stepping away from the crease visibly frustrated the bowler. The tension escalated when Crawley was hit on the glove by Bumrah's fifth delivery, prompting him to call for the physio. This led to cheers from the England fans and boos from the Indian supporters.

Gill, who had initially clapped sarcastically, rushed up to Crawley and held his arms up in an X. Crawley responded by waving a finger at Gill, and Duckett stepped in to exchange words with the Indian captain. The over ended with England leading by two runs, setting the stage for an exciting fourth and fifth day.

Reactions from the Teams

India's KL Rahul expressed disappointment at not being able to bowl two overs, stating that a wicket at the end of the day would have been perfect for his team. Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan praised Crawley's time-wasting tactics as 'as good as I've ever seen,' while also noting that India had no grounds for complaint given their own actions earlier in the match.

The Bigger Picture

This Test has been marked by numerous stoppages, including a lengthy delay on day two when Gill received a massage while fielding. The series, tied at 1-1 after the first two Tests, has been much anticipated, and the late drama on the third day has only added to the excitement. Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook remarked that the series 'needed' such moments to keep the intensity alive.

As the teams prepare for the fourth and fifth days, fans can expect more thrilling cricket and perhaps more heated exchanges on the field.