Shubman Gill, in his debut as India's Test captain, faced a harsh reality check as England defeated India by five wickets in the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. Despite India setting a target of 371, England successfully chased it down, marking their second-highest successful fourth-innings pursuit in Test history and the highest ever at Headingley. The defeat has sparked considerable discussion about India's performance and Gill's leadership, with some suggesting the need for an "attitude adjustment".
India's loss was particularly stinging, considering the strong batting performances throughout the match. Five Indian batters, including Gill himself, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant (with twin centuries), scored centuries. However, the team's inability to capitalize on these strong starts proved costly. In both innings, India experienced dramatic collapses after being in dominant positions. From 430/3 in the first innings, they lost their last seven wickets for just 41 runs. A similar pattern occurred in the second innings, where they went from 287/3 to 364 all out. Gill acknowledged this issue, stating that they need to rectify these collapses moving forward. He admitted that the team had aimed for a score of 430-435 in the first innings but fell short due to the lower order's failure to contribute.
Another significant factor in India's defeat was their subpar fielding. The team dropped multiple catches, with Yashasvi Jaiswal dropping four. One crucial dropped catch was when Ben Duckett was on 97; he went on to score 149 and was named Player of the Match. Gill recognized the importance of fielding, stating that chances don't come easy, especially on challenging wickets. Former Australia wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin emphasized the need for Gill to raise the fielding standards of the team, asserting that great teams are always great fielding teams and Gill needs an "attitude adjustment" to instill this in the team.
The bowling attack also came under scrutiny. Despite a strong first session where they bowled "spot-on," the bowlers struggled to maintain pressure as the ball got older. Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, surprisingly went wicketless. The inability to consistently take wickets and build pressure allowed England's Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley to establish a 188-run opening stand, setting the tone for the chase.
Gill's captaincy also faced criticism. Some observers noted that he lacked the on-field aura of his predecessors, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and appeared more reactive than proactive. There were suggestions of "captaincy by committee," with multiple players offering advice, creating a sense of diffused leadership. However, former England captain Alastair Cook defended Gill, stating that it takes time for a team to adjust to a new leader, drawing parallels to Ben Stokes' initial phase as England captain.
Despite the loss, Gill remained composed and focused on the future. He acknowledged the team's youth and the need for learning and improvement. He emphasized the importance of rectifying the mistakes made in the first Test and expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back. Gill's honest reflections and commitment to growth have been viewed positively, suggesting a rebuilding process has begun.
The second Test, to be held in Birmingham, presents an opportunity for India to address their shortcomings and demonstrate their resilience. Gill and the team will need to focus on strengthening the middle order, improving fielding standards, and developing a more consistent bowling attack. While the first Test was a setback, it also provided valuable lessons and a clear roadmap for improvement.
