What Happened between Joe Root and Prasidh Krishna at The Oval?

The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 has reached a thrilling conclusion with the fifth and final Test between India and England currently underway at The Oval. With the series at 2-1, England is in the lead, but this match is the decider. Throughout the month-long series, it has witnessed several individual performances, records, tactical battles, and some on-field drama between the players.

Batting first, India were bowled out for 224 in their first innings early on Day 2, with England starting their reply strongly. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett gave a solid stand, and Joe Root walked in to bat with England at a strong position. However, things took a surprising turn during the second session when a verbal exchange broke out between Root and Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna.

What was the Joe Root Prasidh Krishna Incident All About?

The on-field incident between Joe Root and Prasidh Krishna occurred during England’s first innings on Day 2 of the Oval Test. After India were dismissed for 224, England began their innings aggressively, reaching an unbeaten stand of 92 without any loss. Zak Crawley’s quick fifty pushed the game in the hosts' favor before Prasidh dismissed him and got the match bit on their side.
Root came to the crease following Crawley’s dismissal and was tested early. One of the Prasidh deliveries struck him on the glove, while another one beat his outside edge. It was during this period that Prasidh reportedly said to Root, “You are looking in great shape.” Although the comment was harmless, somehow it triggered an intense reaction from England's Greatest of All Time.

Root, usually known for his composed behavior on the field, responded strongly. He hit the next delivery through the gully for a boundary and had a few words in return for the bowler. The exchange escalated quickly with both players exchanging words on the field. The Prasidh Krishna Joe Root incident clearly turned on the heat in this enthralling contest.

The umpires, including Kumar Dharmasena, had to step in to manage the situation, with KL Rahul and skipper Shubman Gill getting involved too. Root is probably the best Test batter in the world at the moment. He was later trapped in front by an inswinger from Mohammed Siraj

Prasidh Krishna on Joe Root Incident

After the day’s play, Prasidh Krishna addressed the media in the post-match press conference. When asked about the Prasidh Krishna fight with Joe Root, he clarified that the comment he made was part of India’s strategy to unsettle the experienced batter. “I don’t know why Root reacted,” Prasidh told BBC’s Test Match Special. “I just said, You’re looking in great shape,’ and then it turned into a lot of abuse and all of that.”

The pacer later added that although it was part of a tactical move to break Root’s concentration, he was surprised by how strong the reaction was. “That was the plan, but I didn’t expect the couple of words I said to get such a big reaction from him,” he said.

Prasidh also expressed his respect for the former England captain. “That’s just who I am when I’m bowling, when I’m enjoying. If it means that I have a bit of chatter with the batter. And it does help me when I can get under the nerves of the batsman and get a reaction from them. But I love the guy that he is. He is a legend of the game, and I think it is great when two people are out there wanting to do the best and be a winner at a given moment.”

India eventually bowled England out for 247, securing a 23-run lead in the first innings. Prasidh Krishna and Mohammad Siraj both picked up four wickets each. India ended Day 2 at 75/2 in their second innings, with Yashasvi Jaiswal unbeaten on 51. As the match continues, all eyes will be on how the rest of the game unfolds, and whether this on-field moment will have a lasting impact on the outcome of the final Test.