Day 3 of the third Test between India and England at Lord’s ended with drama both on and off the field. As tensions flared in the middle, sparks also flew in the commentary box. Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik and ex-England captain Michael Vaughan found themselves at opposite ends of the debate surrounding England’s delayed start to their second innings.
Karthik was quick to point fingers at England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, accusing them of time-wasting tactics that left the Indian team visibly irritated. According to him, the gamesmanship had already begun before a ball was bowled in England’s second innings, setting the tone for what would be another tense passage of play in this tightly contested Test.
But Vaughan, never one to hold back, took a different view. Speaking on Cricbuzz, the former England skipper offered a cheeky defence of the home side. He cited the notoriously long walk from the Lord’s dressing room, the presence of members blocking the players’ path, and the physical fatigue from a long fielding stint as understandable reasons for the delay. “They had to maneuver around the members. They’ve had a long day in the field, so legs are tired,” Vaughan said, adding, “They were well within their rights.”
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He didn’t stop there. Michael Vaughan even dragged India into the conversation, recalling how Indian captain Shubman Gill took seven minutes for a back massage on Day 2. “Come on, both teams are delaying all the time,” he quipped.
Always annoying when you can’t get another over in before close 🙄 pic.twitter.com/3Goknoe2n5
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 12, 2025
#SRK is a global star, Zak Crawley proved it once more. SRK must be feeling proud seeing Zak Crawley.#INDvsENG #INDvsENGTest #Bumrah pic.twitter.com/BQOZaiVScq
— 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗽𝘀𝗲 𝗫 (@CricketGlimpseX) July 13, 2025
Michael Vaughan also expressed concern for Zak Crawley, who took a painful blow on his hand from Jasprit Bumrah late in the day. “It was a brutal blow. His hand could be broken. I just hope Crawley finds a bat on Day 4,” he said.
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Meanwhile, England’s young spinner Shoaib Bashir, who hurt his finger while trying to stop a fierce Ravindra Jadeja drive earlier in the day, is under medical supervision. While he is expected to be fit to bowl in India’s second innings, a final decision on whether he’ll bat — and more importantly, whether he’ll feature in the next Test in Manchester — will be made after further assessment.
With both teams battling injuries, tempers, and time, Day 4 promises to bring even more drama in this gripping Lord’s Test.
