Prasidh Krishna vs Joe Root: The Oval Test Drama Everyone is Talking About

The second day of the fifth Test between India and England at The Oval turned out to be far more dramatic than expected. A heated verbal exchange between Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna and England’s usually calm batter Joe Root became one of the biggest talking points of the match.

How It Started

During the 22nd over, Joe Root arrived at the crease with zero runs to his name. Prasidh Krishna, looking to distract him, said: “You’re looking in great shape.” What was meant as light banter suddenly escalated. Root reacted angrily, words were exchanged, and the on-field atmosphere became tense enough that umpire Kumar Dharmasena had to intervene.

Prasidh Krishna Explains

After the match, Prasidh explained that it was all part of India’s plan to put pressure on Root. He admitted, “That was the plan, but I didn’t expect those couple of words to bring such a big reaction. Later I went to him, and he said he was just trying to pump himself up.”

Prasidh clarified that his intention was never to abuse Root, only to break his concentration. He further added that they remain good friends off the field, and this was nothing more than competitive banter.

Root’s Reaction

Joe Root, on the other hand, initially felt that Prasidh had abused him, which triggered his sharp response. Root is not usually known for losing his cool, which is why the incident surprised fans and experts alike. However, once things calmed down, both players had a chat and cleared the misunderstanding.

KL Rahul’s Involvement

The heated environment also saw India’s KL Rahul confront the umpire, saying, “Just bat, ball and go home?” This showed just how charged the atmosphere was in the middle, with both teams refusing to give an inch.

The Strategy Worked

Interestingly, the plan worked perfectly for India. Root could score only 29 runs before being dismissed. Prasidh Krishna went on to produce an impressive spell, taking 4 wickets for 62 runs, which gave India a strong grip on the match and ultimately pushed them towards victory.

Experts React

Former England captain Alastair Cook admitted that it was a clear strategy from India to unsettle Root, and it worked. Meanwhile, England’s assistant coach Marcus Trescothick downplayed the incident, calling it just another heated moment that you hear in many competitive games.

Conclusion

Cricket is not only about bat and ball—it is also about mental strength and strategy. The Oval Test incident between Prasidh Krishna and Joe Root perfectly highlighted how psychological battles can shape the course of a game. While the clash added drama to the contest, both players later clarified that there was no personal issue, only competitive spirit.