ENG vs IND: Ravi Shastri Calls It Out from Commentary Box as Joe Root Survives LBW Scare

ENG vs IND 1st Test: Ravi Shastri Turns ‘Umpire’ in Commentary Box as Joe Root Survives LBW Drama.

Former India coach Ravi Shastri added a light-hearted twist to a tense moment on Day 2 of the first Test at Headingley, playfully raising his finger in the commentary box during a dramatic LBW appeal against Joe Root — only for technology to prove him wrong.

The incident occurred late in the third session when Mohammed Siraj trapped Root in front. Umpire Paul Reiffel didn’t hesitate to send the England batter back, triggering loud celebrations from the Indian camp. Captain Shubman Gill charged in with a roar, channeling memories of Virat Kohli’s high-energy outbursts.

But Root, calm under pressure, reviewed the decision — and DRS revealed the ball would miss leg stump. The on-field decision was overturned, and Root earned a lifeline.

As the replay played out, cameras caught Shastri in the commentary box mimicking the umpire’s raised finger, drawing laughs from the broadcast team. “Umpire Ravi Shastri,” quipped Ian Ward on air.

Shastri later reflected on the moment with a grin:
“Yes, and it was Joe Root. That’s how much the wicket meant to India. Even my hand went up. He’s made India pay over the years.”

He added:
“It shows how many times I’ve watched Root make runs against us. Even from the commentary box, I went up — and I was sitting behind the umpire!”

Root didn’t last much longer, falling to a sharp Bumrah delivery shortly after. Bumrah ended the day with figures of 3 for 38, including the key wickets of Ben Duckett, Root, and Crawley.

England closed at 209/3 in response to India’s imposing 471, still trailing by 262 runs. Ollie Pope anchored the innings with a resilient unbeaten 100, while Harry Brook survived a scare in the final over — caught off a Bumrah no-ball.

Earlier, India’s first innings was built on superb centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Rishabh Pant, whose aggressive strokeplay kept England on the back foot.