Mohammed Siraj Clashes with Ben Duckett in Fiery Send-Off as Tensions Flare on Day 4; Umpire Intervenes Quickly

India struck early on Day 4 of the third Test at Lord’s, with Mohammed Siraj removing Ben Duckett for 12 in a fiery start that reignited tensions from the previous evening. Siraj, never one to shy away from emotion, let Duckett know exactly how he felt — sprinting towards the departing batter and shouting in celebration just inches from his face. His animated send-off, which included a pointed shoulder gesture, was intense enough to prompt the square-leg umpire to step in and issue a warning.

The breakthrough came in the sixth over of England’s second innings. Siraj, clocking around 140kph, delivered a short-of-a-length ball just outside off. Duckett went for an aggressive pull, but the shot lacked both timing and placement. He dragged it off the inside half of the bat straight to Jasprit Bumrah at mid-on, who made no mistake with the catch. It was a costly error from Duckett, who had earlier shown intent with a lap shot in the same over but couldn’t resist taking on Siraj again.

The wicket left England at 22/1 and handed India the early momentum in a match that, after both teams posted 387 in their first innings, had effectively become a second-innings shootout.

The fiery send-off was the latest flashpoint in a Test already simmering with tension. The hostility first bubbled over in the final over of Day 3, when Zak Crawley repeatedly delayed Bumrah’s first over with the new ball — stopping him twice due to sight-screen issues and then calling for the physio after being struck on the glove. The Indian fielders, visibly frustrated, responded with sarcastic applause.

Stationed in the slips, Shubman Gill was especially outspoken, yelling a few curse words and pointing to the England dressing room. Players from both sides engaged in a heated exchange as a result of Duckett's attempt to step in, which only made matters worse.

Siraj’s aggressive celebration the next morning served as a continuation of that confrontation, adding even more spice to what is shaping up to be a high-stakes and emotionally charged battle at Lord’s.