IND vs ENG: Not Gill! Harry Brook Blames Jasprit Bumrah for Provoking England at Lord’s

A full-blown battle is brewing between India and England, and ahead of the crucial fourth Test in Manchester, vice-captain Harry Brook has revealed when the fire was lit.

Speaking to reporters just days before the Old Trafford Test begins on July 23, Brook pointed to one particular over that triggered England’s aggressive approach.

“That Over From Bumrah Changed Everything”

Brook shared that Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery spell to Shoaib Bashir at Lord’s was the turning point. He claimed England, until then, were playing within the spirit of the game. But after Bumrah targeted the tailender, their mindset shifted.

“We try to play in the spirit of the game as much as possible. But we saw that single over from Bumrah, and he struck Bashir on the shoulder. That is when we decided to reassess the situation and have a go at India,” Brook said.

He added, “It’s been a bit of fun. We saw it at Lord’s — 11 (India) vs 2 (England).”

The Lord’s Fire Still Burns

Tensions exploded in the third Test at Lord’s, where both teams locked horns in one of the most heated matches of the series. It began with England’s openers deliberately wasting time, frustrating the Indian side. What followed was full-blown aggression from both camps.

Ben Stokes and his men took offense, claiming India ganged up 11 vs 2 against the English batters. Day 5 saw England, especially Stokes, go full throttle — with the ball and with the sledging.

“There was always going to be a moment in a series like this when it was going to implode. It wasn’t really boiling over to it; it just sort of happened. But look, that’s the spectacle of England v India, isn’t it?” Stokes said after the game.

With the series at 2-1 and a lot still on the line, expect more fireworks when the fourth Test begins at Old Trafford.