India's Test series under Shubman Gill started with a five-wicket defeat to England, raising concerns about managing Jasprit Bumrah's workload. Coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed Bumrah will play only three of the five Tests, regardless of the scoreline. England's historic win, chasing 371, highlighted India's batting collapses despite individual centuries.
England achieved a stunning five-wicket victory over India in the first Test at Headingley, chasing down a target of 371. Despite Rishabh Pant's twin centuries and India's mammoth score, batting collapses proved costly. Coach Gautam Gambhir emphasised the need to support the team and focus on collective improvement rather than blaming individuals, backing Shubman Gill's captaincy despite the loss.
In the first Test against England, Yashasvi Jaiswal had a tough time with dropped catches. KL Rahul scored a composed century. Rishabh Pant blasted a quickfire ton. Their partnership helped India set a target of 371. Pant also made history as the first Indian wicketkeeper to score two centuries in a Test away from home.
Former England pacer Steve Harmison urged India's coach, likely Gautam Gambhir, to avoid interfering with Rishabh Pant's natural, aggressive batting style. Harmison highlighted Pant's six-hitting prowess and unpredictable yet controlled innings. He emphasized that Pant's unique character and fearless approach are vital for cricket, making the game more exciting and captivating for fans.
Jasprit Bumrah's brilliance was almost game-changing, but a crucial dropped catch off Harry Brook proved costly, triggering visible frustration from captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir. Despite multiple dropped catches, Bumrah's class remains unquestioned, with Ravi Shastri hailing him as India's best-ever fast bowler.
Sourav Ganguly has firmly dismissed any interest in entering politics, but remains open to coaching the Indian cricket team in the future. While praising current coach Gautam Gambhir's passion and straightforward approach, Ganguly emphasized the importance of giving Gambhir time to grow in the role.
Rishabh Pant's magnificent century at Headingley, surpassing MS Dhoni's record, was marred by a late innings collapse for India. Pant's 134, along with centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, propelled India to 471. However, a sudden loss of wickets saw England's Josh Tongue and Ben Stokes restrict India.
Jasprit Bumrah's fiery performance and animated conversation with coach Gautam Gambhir grabbed attention during the first Test. Bumrah's three wickets, including the crucial scalp of Joe Root, kept India in the game despite dropped catches. India's batting collapse after centuries from Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant allowed England to fight back, setting the stage for a thrilling contest.
In a surprising move, Shardul Thakur was selected for the first Test against England, despite head coach Gautam Gambhir's previous inclination towards younger players like Nitish Kumar Reddy. With a new captain and the retirement of key players, Team India enters a new era. Thakur's inclusion, possibly influenced by his past success in England, signals a pragmatic shift in selection strategy.
Shubman Gill, 25, captains India's Test team for the first time against England at Headingley, marking a new era after Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's retirements. Cheteshwar Pujara, now in broadcasting, visited the team during training. The team, coached by Gautam Gambhir, includes Kuldeep Yadav as the primary spinner. Weather may affect the match, which begins at 3:30 PM IST.
Shubman Gill, the new Test captain, expressed his honour at leading India and confirmed he would bat at No.4, filling Virat Kohli's spot. He emphasized creating a secure team environment and backing young players. While keeping the playing XI flexible based on pitch conditions, Gill hinted at an evolving team identity to be revealed later in the series.
David Gower discusses the upcoming England-India Test series, highlighting Shubman Gill's captaincy challenges and Jasprit Bumrah's crucial role. Gower emphasizes the importance of Bumrah's strategic deployment due to workload management. He acknowledges India's transition period with experienced players like KL Rahul stepping up, while favoring England to win the series 3-1 due to home advantage and India's vulnerabilities.
On the eve of his first Test as India captain, Shubman Gill immersed himself in a marathon net session at Headingley, showcasing sharp focus on his batting. Now slotted at No. 4, Gill aims to assert himself as a dependable run-scorer in the post-Kohli era. While captaincy talk dominates, Gill remains clear: batting form is key to leading well.