In the closing stages of day one at Lord's, India's Ravindra Jadeja attempted to tempt England's Joe Root into a risky second run to complete his century. Eleven years ago, Kieron Pollard tried something similar against MS Dhoni.
It was the fourth ball of the day's final over. Root punched a length delivery outside off from Akash Deep behind point to reach 99 - one run shy of his 36th Test century (the fifth-most in the format's history).
Jadeja fielded the ball cleanly but held onto it, playfully urging Root to attempt a second run.
With a grin, he eventually rolled the ball along the ground. Root played along, feigning interest in a quick double before smiling and staying put. Ben Stokes then negotiated the final two deliveries as England reached stumps at 251-4, with Root left unbeaten on 99.
When Pollard tested Dhoni's patience
While this incident remained lighthearted, it took you back to another moment from the 2014 ODI between India and the West Indies in Delhi, when Kieron Pollard tried something similar against MS Dhoni.
Off the second ball of the 49th over of India’s innings, Dhoni, batting with the lower order, aimed to face the majority of the remaining deliveries. Pollard, fielding at long-on, sought to test Dhoni’s determination to retain strike.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar hit the ball straight to Pollard, who picked it up but held onto it. He rolled it gently in front of him, trying to lure the batters into attempting a risky second run.
Bhuvneshwar, after reaching the non-striker’s end, briefly shadow-practiced a shot and hesitated for a couple of seconds. Then, responding to Dhoni’s urgent call, he sprinted back as Dhoni charged toward the danger end. The wicketkeeper-batter made his ground comfortably despite Pollard’s throw arriving at the stumps. Dhoni paused to lock eyes with Pollard – a momentary stare that seemed to say, "I was ready for your challenge."
A four and a six from Dhoni in the final over propelled India to 263-7, with the captain finishing unbeaten on 51 off 40 balls. India then bowled out West Indies for 215, levelling the series 1-1 before eventually clinching it by the fourth ODI.
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