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The recently concluded five-match Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series between India and England proved to be one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory, with moments of high drama and intensity defining the 2-2 final scoreline. Amidst the closely fought battles, a brief but heated verbal exchange between India pacer Prasidh Krishna and former England captain Joe Root on the second day of the fifth and final Test at the Oval caught the attention of fans.
The heated exchange and case of misunderstanding between Prasidh Krishna and Joe Root
Prasidh has now broken his silence on the matter, revealing that the on-field spat was simply the result of a misunderstanding and an intense competitive drive from both players. The verbal flashpoint occurred shortly after Root’s arrival at the crease on the second day of the deciding Test match in London. The atmosphere on the field was electric, and tensions were running high as both teams fought for every run and every wicket.
Prasidh, as per ESPNcricinfo, his initial comment to the senior England batter was intended as a friendly remark. Recalling the moment, he explained, “I don’t know why Rooty reacted (that way). I just said, ‘you’re looking in great shape’ and then it turned into a lot of abuse and all of that.” The unexpected reaction from Root quickly escalated the conversation, turning a seemingly innocuous comment into a heated exchange that underscored the intensity of the series.
A post-match reconciliation between Root and Prasidh
Fortunately, the animosity did not linger beyond the on-field moment. Prasidh, who has shared the dressing room with Root as teammates for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, went and spoke to him after the match to clear the air. Root’s response provided a crucial insight into his mindset and the competitive spirit that drives him. As Prasidh revealed, Root explained, “I thought you abused me… I actually just wanted to get myself going as well, so I had to pump myself up.”
This admission was a show of respect from one competitor to another. Prasidh, in turn, expressed his admiration for Root’s approach, stating, “That’s what I love about the sport—that’s the way I’ve always played it. To see everybody, and especially a legend like him, putting it all out there and fighting for the team, even today, that’s something for everyone to learn from. You’re out there to fight, to win battles. Sometimes it takes a lot more than just skill; it takes a lot of mental grit to be part of that journey.”
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Prasidh’s standout performance and ENG vs IND series reflection
The on-field intensity was a reflection of Prasidh’s own determination, as he put in a standout performance for India. In the three Tests he played, he took a total of 14 wickets, with a best of 4/62. His most significant effort came in the final Test at the Oval, where he bowled mammoth spells and finished with remarkable figures of 8 for 188 from 43 overs, an effort that he admitted pushed him to his physical limits. “Physically, it took a lot out of me. It took me about a week to shake it off,” he said.
Looking back at the series as a whole, he expressed his pride in how the team fought under pressure to secure the 2-2 series draw.
“I don’t think any of us expected the series to go that way. It kept swinging back and forth, and, in hindsight, at 2-2, we’re really happy with how we played the whole series. The way we fought every time we were under pressure-and how, each time, someone stood up and delivered for the team- was really pleasing for all of us,” Prasidh concluded.
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