Can Emotions Ever Be Left Out of Cricket? Lord’s Test Between India and England Sparks the Debate Again

By Shah Faisal

The India vs England series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy has been a captivating contest, balancing brilliance with grit. But while the cricketing quality remained high, the Lord’s Test took a volatile turn, especially during the final sessions of Days 3 and 4.

Mohammed Siraj, who had gone wicketless in the game up to that point, was seen animatedly complaining about the condition of the ball. Things escalated when he finally dismissed Ben Duckett on Day 4. Instead of a composed celebration, Siraj stormed towards Duckett, roaring in his face and brushing shoulders with him on his way back. The ICC quickly intervened, fining Siraj 15% of his match fee and handing him one demerit point for violating the Code of Conduct related to aggressive gestures that could provoke a reaction from the batter.

But that wasn’t the only moment of tension.

Day 3 ended in near chaos, as a minor disagreement over how many overs remained in the day snowballed into something bigger. With India keen to get in two overs before stumps and England trying to stall, opener Zak Crawley allegedly resorted to time-wasting tactics—delaying his readiness at the crease and stepping away during Jasprit Bumrah’s over. This sparked visible frustration from India. Captain Shubman Gill, known more for his calm demeanor than confrontation, confronted Crawley with pointed fingers and fierce words. Tempers flared further when Ben Duckett jumped in, escalating the altercation until umpires separated the players.

As the heat refused to die down, drama carried into Day 4. Gill was once again involved—this time angrily arguing with umpires about a ball change. India had requested a replacement but were handed one they felt was considerably older than the original. Even during the drinks break, Gill was animatedly showing the ball to the umpires, his tone intense. Siraj joined him in voicing concerns, only to be waved off again.

And this is where the larger question arises—

Why, despite heavy penalties in place, do players continue to erupt under pressure? Is cricket too emotional a sport to regulate entirely?

As you pointed out in your own reflection:

Despite so many penalties for cursing and getting emotional on the field, cricket still finds incidents where players lose their control and get emotionally overwhelmed at critical moments. Many of them happened during this Lord’s Test. Indian players were seen getting hyper and emotionally charged at English players and also the umpire.

That’s a fair question. Especially when someone as calm as Shubman Gill shows such intensity. Even Gill defended his actions afterward by saying:

Cricket is an emotional sport and you can get carried away by it.

But should that be enough? Shouldn't the ICC take a firmer stance?

Ball changing is an umpire’s domain. Captains can show concern but cannot dictate decisions. Is the ICC ignoring such flare-ups because of the BCCI’s power? Or is it just that cricket is human, and such moments of passion are inevitable?

This is where the double-edged beauty of cricket lies. While the incidents may cross lines, they also inject an adrenaline-fueled pulse into the game. These confrontations have arguably raised the stakes, keeping players on edge and fans riveted.

Whatever the case may be, it has helped both teams go for the win and not allow the opposition a clear path. These incidents have kept spectators on the edge of their seats and players ready for a fight till the end.

Whatever happened has enhanced the entertainment and enticement of the game. It’s lovely to watch a cricket match at Lord’s with so much drama in between. But the question will remain—if these actions truly breach the laws, why hasn't the ICC stepped in more forcefully? Ignoring them may set a precedent, allowing others to cross the emotional line in the name of passion.

Cricket remains a game of skills—but also of nerves. When the emotions surge, the cricket becomes raw, real, and unforgettable. And while that might violate some rules, it may also be exactly what keeps the sport alive in hearts around the world.