Watch: R Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow were involved in what seemed like a heated exchange following the latter’s dismissal at the stroke of lunch on day four of the second India-England Test.

Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Bairstow on the last ball before lunch with a nip-backer that trapped the batter lbw. The in-field umpire immediately raised his finger immediately to signal out, leaving England with the option of taking the DRS. As Bairstow was walking towards the non-striker to discuss the decision of a review, Ashwin pumped his hands in celebration and let out a scream just as he was walking past the batter.

Bairstow didn’t look too pleased, muttering a few words to the off-spinner before he walked away.

This is not the first time that Ashwin has been in the news in the ongoing Test. On day one, the off-spinner had a lengthy discussion with the umpire while batting, seemingly after he had been warned of bowling in the danger area. On day two, Ashwin irked James Anderson for standing too close to the umpire at the non-striker’s end while batting and was seen asking “Me?” when the bowler pointed out the issue.

On Sunday, Ashwin ensured the packed crowd did not miss Virat Kohli in the Test, urging the fans to chant loudly and keep the energy up while India were bowling, a job Kohli has done and mastered over the years.

Bairstow has now gone 16 innings with a Test hundred, though he scored an unbeaten 99 against Australia in the Ashes. England slumped to 194-6 at the end of the first session on Monday. They need 399 to win the second Test and take a 2-0 lead in the series, while Ashwin, who picked up two wickets in the first session, is one scalp away from 500 Test wickets.

Watch the incident here:

Bairstow and Ashwin exchange pleasantries just prior to lunch. pic.twitter.com/gTp2rDRZXM

— The Pinch Hitter (@LePinchHitter) February 5, 2024

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