Herschelle Gibbs harbours some pretty controversial and critical takes, but holds them dear consistently. So, be it Temba Bavuma in the WTC or Jasprit Bumrah’s fourth innings batting in the India-England Test at Lord’s, the South African can train his tweeting-gun on any batsman who is not perennially taking the attack to the bowlers, and not being a batsman, showing ‘intent’.
On Monday, he came down hard on India’s top order but also surprisingly on Bumrah as they fell short by 22 runs. While his criticism of Bavuma borders on a long alleged prejudice against any pragmatic approach (and not slam bang hitting) by any Proteas opener, Gibbs also got prickly about India’s No 10 Bumrah, not swinging at deliveries early in his 53 ball stay, to reach the target against England.
“Came close in the end but lack of intent cost India the game,” Gibbs first posted provocatively on Twitter. Though he conceded it had been a “great test for sure”, Gibbs questioned why he did not play more positively, basing his expectation on a past record. “Bumrah has the most runs in an over for a batsman in test cricket.. .. where was that intent today ? He showed intent that day what was different today? Let’s hear your thinking?” he responded to a reply that stated that circumstances (chasing a target not setting one, state of the pitch) were different.
Came close in the end but lack of intent cost India the game . #INDvsEND
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) July 14, 2025
Gibbs – who hit a 175 when chasing down a record ODI score – clearly views ‘intent’ as an all-encompassing trait. “so you say you only have intent when you setting when he scored that 35 in one over he pulled and hooked some sixes didn’t he? The ball he got out today, with some intent he could have done the same not so?” Gibbs questioned. It was the 50+ balls Bumrah played, defending mostly alongside Ravindra Jadeja that seemed to annoy Gibbs. “That’s why he needed intent earlier in his innings.”
Bumrah has the most runs in an over for a batsman in test cricket.. .. where was that intent today?
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) July 14, 2025
On the field, Bumrah actually was dismissed trying to go for a risky pull, and a case can be made that had he stayed on a little longer, Jadeja could have dragged India to a win. Gibbs though was in no mood to appreciate the actual fight put up by Nos 10 & 11.
The former Saffer was generally disenchanted with India’s batting approach. When told that Jadeja & the tail was left with too much to do at the end as it is not an easy job to score runs, Gibbs conceded the top order needed to pull their weight – but with intent.
“Ofcourse it is (the top order job).. when did you ever take it to the bowlers? They were allowed to bowl without any batsman trying to put pressure on them,” he said.
😂😂 so you say you only have intent when you setting 🤦♂️ when he scored that 35 in one over he pulled and hooked some sixes didn’t he ? The ball he got out today, with some intent he could have done the same not so?
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) July 14, 2025
When asked if top order was too complacent in the 2nd innings, but England bowled really well, Gibbs reiterated, “All England did was bowl wicket to wicket .. pitch was fine,nothing misbehaved. Just some intent was lacking that’s all.” To another query, he however spoke like a top order batsman unmindful of tailender’s batting limitations and blindsided to how it was not the tail’s job in the first place. “Slogging is not intent, my friend,” Gibbs told a Twitter user.
Gibbs had blown the ‘intent’ horn much earlier, ahead of lunch in fact when he declared, “Their lack of intent gonna cost them the match mate …”
Sitting in South Africa, he seemed to be willing them on to break loose. “They defended for 2 hours basically .. could have been more positive 40mins before lunch,” he tweeted, while correctly predicting a wicket before lunch.
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On India’s part, Yashasvi Jaiswal did show intent and perished to it too, hooking a bouncer from outside off stump.
However, Gibbs seemed to be joyous about the overall health of Test Cricket and took the opportunity to explain to promoters of 4-day Tests that they were wrong. “Like i said it’s a no brainer bud,” he replied to a comment, “it’s just the beauty of the 5th day when 2 top teams go at it.”
