Joe Root and Nathan Lyon have each completed 100 Test matches for their respective countries, with the milestones coming up in India’s last two Tests.

However, the reception given on each occasion was markedly different. Lyon was given a shirt signed by the entire India playing XI, something which prompted much interest on social media. Given India had just completed a win for the ages in Brisbane, some felt it was a piece of “brutal champing” by the tourists. The signatures themselves, when revealed, also sparked much debate. Buzz began to build over whether India would repeat the move.

Let's not beat about the bush. The most fascinating aspect of today is how India deal with Root's 100th Test at stumps. Circumstances looking *slightly* different to Nathan Lyon.

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) February 9, 2021

However, Root’s landmark cap came and went without similar fanfare, and Michael Vaughan was one of many to question the absence of the gesture.

India gifted @NathLyon421 a signed shirt for his 100th Test at the end of the Gabba Win … Did @root66 receive one today after the loss ?? Not sure if it happened ? Can anyone confirm ?

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) February 9, 2021

India Today writer Utkarsh Kumar objected to Vaughan’s tweet, interpreting it as a dig at the India team. He argued that with the former Test the last of the series, a big post-rubber ceremony provided the perfect chance to hand out a gift, and pointed to India and England’s good humour during the Test as evidence of the bond between the sides.

Still, Vaughan was far from the only one to point out the discrepancy. Cricket365 editor Dave Tickner, one of the key proponents of the shirt-as-trolling theory, was quick on the draw this time around too.

How it started. How it's going. pic.twitter.com/jt0nmraxsE

— Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) February 9, 2021

Speculation abounded. Perhaps it showed a difference between the approaches of Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli, or maybe India felt that, having ‘gifted’ England a victory, they didn’t need to do any more.

Nathan Lyon's 100th Test: India gifted the singed jersey.

Joe Root's 100th Test: India gifted the match.

— Virendra Vaishnav (@VaishnavDevta) February 9, 2021

Or they wanted to, but couldn’t locate the vital implement.

@gradecricketer How strange that the Indians didn't replicate their Touch of Class (👏👏👏) for man of the match Joe Root on his 100th test like they did for Nathan Lyon at The Gabba. Maybe they couldn't find a pen? pic.twitter.com/QD8LodyAYO

— Henry Joyce (@hozzajoyce) February 9, 2021

But there were many to take it as confirmation of some light hi-jinks at the Gabba.

@gregjames @jimmy9 @felixwhite @itsmattchin can we please discuss the fact that India didn’t present Root with a shirt for his hundredth test; thus confirming that Rahane to Lyon post-match at the Gabba was prime trolling. https://t.co/srbmNd0wiT

— Thomas Wright (@Thomas_W_Wright) February 9, 2021