‘He wanted to show this is his team now’: Ponting on Gill’s uncharacteristic aggression

MANCHESTER: Ahead of the crucial fourth Test at Old Trafford starting on Wednesday, legendary batter Ricky Ponting has backed India skipper Shubman Gill's on-field aggression during the Lord's Test and said he was standing up for his team.

With the series level at 1-1 heading into the Lord’s Test last week, the fiercely contested third Test between England and India delivered plenty of on-field tension. One of the more heated moments came late on Day 3, when Gill had an animated exchange with England's openers.

After India matched England’s first-innings total of 387, they hoped to sneak in two quick overs in the final six minutes of the day. But those plans were thwarted as Zak Crawley took his time by pulling out of two deliveries during Jasprit Bumrah's run-up and calling the physio for a hand injury, leading to a fiery confrontation between Gill and the two openers.