Unsporting Move by English Bowler to Distract Gill Near Century | WATCH Video

Edgbaston: Cricket has often prided itself on being a “gentleman’s game,” but moments like the one seen on Wednesday during the India-England Test at Edgbaston suggest that old habits die hard. In an unsporting and arguably deliberate act, English fast bowler Brydon Carse attempted to distract Shubman Gill just as the Indian skipper neared a historic Test century.

As Gill approached his seventh Test ton, Carse—during his run-up before a delivery in the 34th over—suddenly moved his left arm erratically without any bowling intent, seemingly to break Gill’s concentration. The move was subtle but suspicious enough to raise eyebrows and drew comparisons to past instances of sledging and gamesmanship, particularly from Australia, England, and Pakistan before the IPL era curtailed such aggression due to financial interdependence.

Gill, sharp and composed, sensed the tactic and stepped out of the crease, preventing Carse from completing the delivery. Carse was forced to abort and pretend innocence, but the intention seemed clear. It was a failed attempt to mentally unsettle Gill, who stood resilient and would eventually bring up his century — a gritty 100 off 199 balls with 11 boundaries.

The incident occurred shortly after Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for 87, narrowly missing his century. At that moment, Gill had taken charge of the innings, guiding India out of trouble before being targeted by Carse’s distraction ploy. Though the tactic didn’t succeed in dismissing Gill, it has sparked fresh debate over the spirit of the game and the ethics of psychological tactics.

Brydon Carse, bowling his 16th over at the time, had earlier dismissed Karun Nair but may now be remembered more for this controversial moment than his bowling figures.