India's Tactics Target Root's Composure in Test Showdown

India's fast bowler Prasidh Krishna admitted that provoking Joe Root was an intentional strategy during a heated moment on the second day of the fifth Test at The Kia Oval. The incident occurred when Root, yet to score, played and missed at Krishna's deliveries, leading to a verbal clash. Though the exact words weren't captured by stump microphones, Root's visible frustration highlighted the competitive tension between the two teams.

India's approach to unsettle England's captain appeared to work, as Root's typically composed demeanor shifted during the exchange. Krishna, who took 4-62 in England's first innings, expressed surprise at the magnitude of Root's reaction. "It was the plan, but I didn't anticipate such a strong response," he said, adding that the rivalry stemmed from both players' desire to excel. Off the field, the pair maintained a friendly rapport, with Krishna describing the incident as "just a bit of banter."

The match has been marked by high stakes, with England leading the series 2-1 but now facing a 52-run deficit after India's first innings. England's struggles were compounded by three dropped catches late in the day, including a critical miss of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who remained unbeaten on 51. England's bowling attack, already weakened by Chris Woakes' injury, endured a challenging evening session.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized the team's selection choices, citing the inclusion of players with minimal recent game time. Batter Jacob Bethell, making his debut in the series after a seven-month absence in red-ball cricket, scored just six, while Jamie Overton, brought in due to Ben Stokes' injury, has struggled in limited appearances. Vaughan called the selections "extraordinary," arguing that untested players face an uphill battle in such high-pressure conditions.

England's assistant coach, Marcus Trescothick, acknowledged the competitive nature of the series, noting that on-field disputes are part of the "spice" in cricket. He highlighted Root's rare outburst as a natural reaction to India's aggressive tactics, stating, "Everyone has their own method of dealing with that sort of approach, and today Joe bit back."

As India looks to capitalize on their lead, the focus remains on how England can regroup and address their batting and fielding challenges in the coming days.