These were the words of a defiant and brave Gautam Gambhir after India’s loss to England in the first Test at Headingley. The Indian coach defended the bowlers after a sub-par performance, backed the lower-order for not capitalising on the top-order platform, and highlighted that India still managed to post big scores in both innings. Yet, despite that, the team has some serious issues to address.
This is a team in transition. Key players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R. Ashwin have recently retired from Test cricket. But that alone cannot justify the performance at Headingley. India have now lost seven of their last nine Tests—a poor run by any standard.
India had control for large parts of the match. Television graphics tracking session winners showed India leading across most of the four days. However, when the key moments arrived, the team lost grip.
Shubman Gill said in his post-match interview that this was a young team still learning. But by age and international exposure, India actually had more experience than England in this match. Most players have years of top-level cricket, including the IPL. Still, when it mattered most, the team faltered.
The defeat reflects problems in basic execution. And it’s a blow to India’s World Test Championship hopes.
Dropped catches: costly errors
The phrase "catches win matches" remains relevant. India dropped Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook in the first innings—all of whom went on to make significant contributions. England reduced the deficit to just six runs when it could have been much higher.
In the second innings, Jaiswal dropped Duckett on 98. He went on to make 149—a match-defining knock. India dropped seven or eight chances in total, which was a major factor in the loss.
Sunil Gavaskar reacted strongly. He said players must stop taking practice sessions lightly and give their best. “You’ve come here to play for India. Practice in a way that prepares you properly,” he said.
In-match thinking missing
Jasprit Bumrah is known for adapting on the fly, like a chess player calculating each move. That quality was missing in other bowlers.
Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna had their moments in the IPL, but they looked ineffective at Headingley. Prasidh continued to bowl short balls despite being punished. He took two wickets in the first innings but went for over six runs per over in both innings.
He could have learned from Bumrah, who kept his lines tighter and adapted his strategy. That shift in approach might have given India some control.
Even Ravindra Jadeja faced criticism for not using the rough patches smartly.
India’s bowling lacked the ability to adjust mid-match—an essential quality at the Test level.
Big picture
India’s Test team is in a phase of change, and they will be given time. But most of these players are not new to international cricket. They’ve played enough to know that Test cricket demands high standards, consistency, and adaptability.
The team must show that they value the format as much as they claim. Otherwise, missing another World Test Championship final might soon become a reality.
