Trisha Ghosal in Leeds
Headingley is fast becoming England’s spiritual home for fourth-innings drama, and today, they added another classic to that growing list. Chasing 371, England stormed home in just 82 overs, riding on Ben Duckett’s stunning 149 and finishing with a Jamie Smith six to go 1-0 up in the five-match series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
It was a bruising start to a new era for India under Shubman Gill, who notched a fine first-innings hundred, but will now be left reflecting on a heavy loss in his debut Test as captain. Despite scoring five centuries to England’s two, India were let down by two lower-order collapses (7 for 41 and 6 for 31), six dropped catches, and some baffling on-field choices.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir fronted up at the post-match press conference, acknowledging India’s missed chances but defending the team’s effort and long-term vision.
On India’s Missed Opportunities in the Field
“Best fielders have missed catches. None of them did it on purpose,” Gambhir said firmly. “These things happen. Hopefully we learn from them. The positive thing is we created multiple opportunities to win throughout the five days.”
On Shardul Thakur’s Role and Selection
“Sometimes a captain goes by instinct on the field,” he explained when asked about Thakur’s role. “We know his quality. He’s a good cricketer, and that’s why he’s part of the national side. Some decisions are based on conditions and instincts.”
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“Even the best fielders drop catches. These things happen.” – Gautam Gambhir reflects on India’s loss to England in the first Test.
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On the Lower-Order Batting Collapse
“Everyone wanted to contribute. I’m not going to single out anyone,” Gambhir said. “It’s not fair to blame the loss only on the lower-order not scoring. There were other moments where we could’ve controlled the game better.”
On Backing the Bowling Unit
“Apart from Bumrah and Siraj, the others don’t have a lot of experience,” Gambhir pointed out. “They still have quality. If we start questioning them after every failure, we won’t allow them to develop. We will continue to back them.”
On the Positives from the Test
“We had five centuries and a five-for from Bumrah,” Gambhir highlighted. “The individual performances were there, but unfortunately, we didn’t win. Hopefully we can build on this and do better in the next one.”
On Team Combination
“Combination depends on conditions. I can’t sit here and fix anything,” he said when pressed about future selection. “Yes, taking 20 wickets is important, but the pitch and surfaces play a huge role in those decisions.”
On Harshit Rana’s Addition
“He was added because of a niggle in the squad,” Gambhir clarified. “But it’s fine now. Need to talk to the chairman of selectors about him.”
India now head into the second Test with plenty to consider not just in terms of tactics, but also temperament. The chase may have belonged to England, but the questions are now squarely in India’s corner.
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