England’s dramatic Day 5 win at Lord’s wasn’t just about skill—it was about attitude. England batter Harry Brook has revealed that head coach Brendon McCullum’s comment about the team being “too nice” gave them the emotional edge they needed. Fired up by India’s verbal attack on opener Zak Crawley on Day 3, the English team came out swinging—both figuratively and literally—to bowl India out for 170 and secure a 22-run win, taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
The Spark: India’s Mind Games Backfire
It all began with an on-field altercation between Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley, where the Indian skipper accused the England opener of wasting time. The Indian players mocked Crawley with sarcastic claps until Ben Duckett stepped in. Tensions continued into Day 4 when Mohammed Siraj celebrated Ben Duckett’s dismissal aggressively and even made physical contact—earning a warning from the ICC. Things escalated further on Day 5 with Brydon Carse exchanging heated words with Ravindra Jadeja.
But instead of being rattled, England used the moment to fuel their response.
Brook: “It Was the Perfect Time to Stop Being Nice”
Speaking to BBC Sport, Brook explained how McCullum’s criticism lit a fire within the squad. “Baz said a few days ago that we’re too nice. The night before Day 5, I brought it up. I said, ‘Tomorrow is the perfect opportunity to show them we’re not pushovers.’”
He continued, “We saw two of our guys—Zak and Ben—stand up to the Indians. We weren’t going to sit back. We had a conversation and agreed—it was time to stop being the nice guys.”
That shift in mindset proved crucial. England brought relentless energy to the field, defended 192 fiercely, and snatched a memorable win at Lord’s.
India Reeling Ahead of Must-Win 4th Test
The loss has pushed India into a corner. With England leading the series 2-1, the visitors must win the fourth Test at Old Trafford to stay alive. But history isn’t on their side—India have never won a Test at the Manchester venue, with four losses and five draws in nine attempts.
Adding to their woes are mounting injuries. Arshdeep Singh is out of the fourth Test, Nitish Kumar Reddy is out for the rest of the series, and Akash Deep is doubtful. As a result, Anshul Kamboj has been called up as cover.
With a battered squad and momentum slipping away, India face an uphill battle—not just to level the series, but to regain control of their narrative.
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