Karthik’s explanation made it clear that Jitesh was not denied entry into Lord’s but was simply waiting in a restricted media zone beneath the media centre, not the stadium’s main entrance. The delay occurred as part of a normal coordination process rather than any misidentification or mishap.

During the gripping third Test between India and England at Lord’s, a light off-field incident involving Indian wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma sparked attention online. A video shared on X showed Jitesh seemingly being stopped by security staff near the media area, leading to speculation that he was denied entry to the iconic venue. However, veteran cricketer and commentator Dinesh Karthik has now issued a clarification, putting all rumours to rest.

The footage led many fans to believe that Lord’s security personnel failed to recognise Jitesh Sharma and asked him for identification before allowing access. The video also showed Dinesh Karthik on a call, presumed to be with Jitesh, and later greeting fans and signing autographs. The moment, though minor, quickly went viral, raising questions about access protocols and recognition of players off the field.

Dinesh Karthik addressed the situation with a statement on X, clarifying that the incident was not what it appeared. He wrote, “These are some issues with social media that a lot face. I invited Jitesh to the comm box, he had come, and I came and met him down and took him to the comm box and he met everyone there. Btw this is below the media center, not the entrance to the ground.”

Karthik’s explanation made it clear that Jitesh was not denied entry into Lord’s but was simply waiting in a restricted media zone beneath the media centre, not the stadium’s main entrance. The delay occurred as part of a normal coordination process rather than any misidentification or mishap.

'How Only 1 Team Has Been...': Michael Vaughan Questions ICC's Decision Over Penalising England For Slow Overrate During Lord's Test

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has openly criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for penalising only England team for slow over rates during the recently concluded third Test between England and India at Lord’s. Taking to social media, Vaughan expressed his frustration, calling the decision "beyond me" and highlighting that both teams were equally guilty of poor over rates.

“Let’s be honest, both teams' over rates at Lord’s were very, very poor. How only 1 team has been reprimanded is beyond me,” Vaughan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), triggering widespread debate among fans and cricket experts alike.

The ICC had earlier confirmed that England had been docked 2 points and fined 10 percent for maintaining a slow over rate during the match, which England won by 22 runs. However, there was no similar sanction announced for the Indian side.

Vaughan’s remarks reflect growing concern among former players and analysts about consistency in the application of rules, particularly those relating to over rates, a long-standing issue in modern Test cricket. He emphasised that fairness should be paramount and called on cricket’s governing body to ensure equal treatment for all teams.

The controversy has added to the buzz surrounding the ongoing Test series between England and India, which England currently leads 2-1. With two more matches to go, attention will not only be on the cricketing action but also on how match regulations are enforced moving forward.