On the second day of the India vs England Test 2025, the game took a surprising turn, one that had less to do with batting or bowling and more with words. The moment came when Joe Root walked in to bat with England cruising at 129 for 2. But what followed was the now headline-making Prasidh Krishna vs Joe Root Verbal Clash, which became a key moment in the game.
Root had come in after Zak Crawley lost his wicket trying to pull a short ball from Prasidh Krishna. That was Prasidh’s first wicket of the innings, and it opened the door for a strong Indian comeback. Alongside Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, Prasidh started to control the run rate as the weather shifted from sunny to overcast, conditions perfect for seamers. This was the setting where the Prasidh Krishna vs Joe Root Verbal Clash began to unfold, marking a turning point in the day’s play.
From the first ball Root faced, Prasidh was sharp. A rising delivery hit Root’s glove, and just two balls later, a wobble-seam ball zipped past his defense. Right then, Prasidh said something that changed the mood. According to the pacer, he simply told Root, “You’re looking in great shape.” But this casual comment turned into a heated Prasidh Krishna vs Joe Root Verbal Clash.
Root responded with a square-driven four and then turned back to exchange words. The situation escalated, forcing umpire Kumar Dharmasena to step in. He warned Prasidh and had a long chat with KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. For the next few overs, the umpire closely watched Prasidh as words were exchanged between both camps.
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Prasidh Krishna vs Joe Root Verbal Clash: A Simple Compliment Sparks a Big Reaction
After play, Prasidh admitted he was stunned by Root’s reaction. Speaking to BBC’s Test Match Special, he said, “I just said, ‘you’re looking in great shape,’ and suddenly it became a big deal. I didn’t expect that kind of reaction.” The Prasidh Krishna vs Joe Root Verbal Clash wasn’t just a random moment, it was actually part of India’s plan going into the Test.
Prasidh revealed during the press conference that the Indian team had planned to rattle Root with some verbal challenges. But even he didn’t think such a simple comment would lead to so much tension. “That was the plan, yes. But I didn’t think two words would turn into a full-blown Prasidh Krishna vs Joe Root Verbal Clash.”
He explained that it’s all part of how he operates when he’s bowling aggressively. “I enjoy that bit of edge, the fire. It helps me get in the zone. If I can unsettle the batter with some banter, I’ll do it. But I also respect Root a lot, he’s a legend. What happened today was just heat-of-the-moment stuff,” Prasidh said.
England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick later commented on the Prasidh Krishna vs Joe Root Verbal Clash, saying it wasn’t something they’d dwell on. “They said something to fire him up, and Joe bit back. Usually, he just laughs those things off, but today he responded. That’s cricket. People handle pressure in different ways.”
This isn’t the only fiery moment in the India vs England Test 2025. The series has seen a number of incidents showing both teams’ hunger to win. At Lord’s, Gill pointed out Crawley and Duckett walking out late to start their innings. Then at Old Trafford, Ben Stokes questioned Jadeja and Sundar for batting on for personal milestones even when the game was heading for a draw.
Now, the Prasidh Krishna vs Joe Root Verbal Clash adds to the growing list of spicy moments. It shows how much is at stake in this tightly fought series.
Even Ben Duckett nearly got caught up in another flashpoint. After being dismissed by Akash Deep, the bowler put his arm around Duckett in a strange gesture. While no words were exchanged, it raised eyebrows. Trescothick commented again, calling it an unusual moment. “You don’t really do that after taking a wicket. We were saying on the balcony that in county cricket, someone would’ve given him an elbow or something in return,” he said.
The Prasidh Krishna vs Joe Root Verbal Clash might just be one of several moments that define this high-intensity series. Both teams have come prepared not just to outplay each other but to outwit and outtalk too. As the India vs England Test 2025 continues, fans can expect more emotional highs, sledging, and tactical mind games that go beyond just bat and ball.
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