Krishna–Joe Clash Fuels India’s Comeback
A fiery exchange between Prasidh Krishna and Joe Root sparked a dramatic shift in momentum for India during Day 2 of the final India vs England Test at The Oval. The hosts had started strong, but this verbal battle became the turning point as India clawed their way back.
Before lunch, England openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley raced to a 92-run stand. Their aggressive start had pushed India onto the back foot. However, things changed after the break. India’s fast bowlers returned with renewed energy, and the atmosphere turned tense.
In the middle of this charged session, Prasidh Krishna and Joe Root exchanged sharp words after a boundary. Root, usually composed, reacted strongly—prompting the umpires to intervene.
“I genuinely wouldn’t know at this point. I really want to find out. I haven’t seen Joe Root react that way. He said something, which irked Root a bit, because he isn’t the one to react. He made it sound like, ‘don’t try to be too smart here’. Things started there, and Prasidh Krishna didn’t back down,” said Dinesh Karthik to Sky Sports Cricket.
India Rallies After Fiery Moment
The spat seemed to lift India’s intensity. The bowlers found rhythm. England, once dominant, suddenly found themselves under pressure. Two quick wickets fell, and the tone of the day flipped.
“By then, a couple of wickets had fallen, and it kind of went on to pick after that. That was a session which told you everything about this series. England had it there in the first session, but India pulled it back in such a way that they were in as good position as England were,” Karthik added.
Prasidh Speaks Out on the Incident
Later, Prasidh Krishna spoke at the press conference. He admitted the confrontation was part of the plan but didn’t expect such a strong reaction from Root.
That was also the plan. But I didn’t really expect a couple of words that I said to get such a big reaction from him, Prasidh said.
He praised Joe Root as a “legend of the game” and emphasized their mutual respect off the field. Prasidh also revealed that verbal duels help him find his rhythm as a bowler.
I try and enjoy bowling if it means that I have a bit of a chatter with the batsman. And it does help me when the batsman also is, I can get under the nerves and get a reaction from him, he added.
The Prasidh vs Root clash didn’t just offer drama—it became the spark India needed to balance the contest. With momentum now even, the final Test remains wide open.
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