What began as a dream debut for Shubman Gill as Test captain turned into a bitter lesson in missed opportunities, strategic missteps, and an unrelenting English counterattack. India, after dominating large swathes of the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, succumbed to a five-wicket defeat as England pulled off a stunning fourth-innings chase of 371, handing the visitors a painful blow and taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Gill’s captaincy tenure had an ideal start. India chose to bat and closed Day 1 at a commanding 369/3, with the skipper scoring a fluent 147—his first century outside Asia. Centuries followed from Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), Rishabh Pant (134 and 118 across innings), and KL Rahul (137), making India the first team in Test history to score five individual hundreds and still lose. But the numbers, though historic, failed to translate into match control.
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Much of India’s downfall stemmed from an inability to capitalise on strong positions. Despite sitting at 430/3 in the first innings, they collapsed to 471 all out. A similar script unfolded in the second innings—losing their final six wickets for just 31 runs, crumbling from 333/4 to 364. The tail offered no resistance. In fact, India’s last four batters managed a dismal 9 runs combined across both innings, while England’s lower order contributed 72 runs—an edge that proved decisive.
However, it wasn’t just the batting that faltered. India’s fielding performance at Headingley was one of the most error-prone in recent memory. The side dropped nearly ten catches across both innings—many of them at pivotal moments. Yashasvi Jaiswal alone shelled at least four opportunities, including key chances off Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook. Each batter capitalized: Duckett added 51 and 52 after reprieves, Pope built on his miss with 46, and Brook scored 16 following a dropped chance.
Other lapses came from Ravindra Jadeja at point, Rishabh Pant behind the stumps, and Sai Sudharsan in the deep. Jasprit Bumrah added to the woes with a costly no-ball that nullified Brook’s early dismissal on zero. These errors gave England the footholds they needed in a chase that, under normal circumstances, should have been beyond reach.
India’s team selection also came under scrutiny. Shardul Thakur was included as a seam-bowling all-rounder, but he bowled just six overs in the first innings and wasn’t used until the 40th over. Although he made brief inroads in the second innings with two wickets, his limited role raised questions over whether another batter like Nitish Kumar Reddy or an additional spinner like Kuldeep Yadav would have provided better balance.
Despite all these issues, India still had the upper hand on Day 5. England needed 350 runs with a deteriorating pitch, rain threats, and a high required rate. But England, embracing their aggressive Bazball philosophy, turned the game on its head. Ben Duckett was at the forefront, smashing a fearless 149 and taking on Jadeja with reverse sweeps into the rough. Zak Crawley (65) provided a brisk start, Joe Root anchored the end with a calm 53*, and debutant Jamie Smith struck a rapid 44* to finish the job.
India’s field placements and bowling changes failed to adapt quickly enough to England’s counterpunch. Despite moments of control, including early discipline with the ball on Day 5, India’s bowlers couldn’t maintain pressure as the ball softened and the English batters accelerated.
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