India pacer Mohammed Siraj was seen exchanging words with England opener Ben Duckett during the final session of Day 2 in the Manchester Test, as frustration crept into the Indian camp after a tough day on the field.
Siraj vs Duckett: Tempers Flare in Final Session
With England cruising at 225/2 at stumps in response to India’s 358, emotions boiled over late in the day. The flashpoint came when Duckett walked up to the umpire to complain about something, which appeared to trigger an irritated reaction from Mohammed Siraj. The Indian pacer, visibly frustrated with the day’s proceedings, fired back verbally, and the exchange quickly caught the attention of fans and cameras alike.
Crawley-Duckett Partnership Puts India on the Backfoot
England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett gave India a hard time, adding a 166-run stand that set the tone for the innings. While Crawley fell for 84 and Duckett departed for 94, their aggressive batting saw England dominate the Indian bowlers. They maintained a brisk scoring rate of nearly five runs per over, unsettling the likes of Siraj (0/26 in 4 overs), debutant Anshul Kamboj (0/29 in 5), and even Jasprit Bumrah, who conceded 22 runs in his first five.
India’s First Innings: Archer Shines, Pant Steals Hearts
Earlier in the day, India managed to push their score to 358 before being bowled out. Jofra Archer was impressive, dismissing Ravindra Jadeja early. Shardul Thakur showed resilience, scoring 41 before falling to Ben Stokes, who claimed his first five-wicket haul in Tests since 2017.
However, the standout moment came when Rishabh Pant walked in to bat despite a clear foot injury. Limping but determined, he received a standing ovation from the crowd. Pant’s courage uplifted Indian fans and gave the innings a symbolic boost, even if the scoreboard reflected a more grim reality.
Day 2 ended with England firmly in control and India hoping to turn things around with early wickets on Day 3. But the fiery exchange between Siraj and Duckett added an extra layer of drama to an already tense contest.
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