Haddin Calls for 'Attitude Adjustment' from Gill After India's Test Defeat, Cites Fielding Woes

Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has issued a warning to India's newly appointed Test captain, Shubman Gill, emphasizing the need for an "attitude adjustment" following India's recent five-wicket loss to England in the first Test of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy 2025. The match, held at Headingley, saw India falter despite a strong batting performance.

India captain Shubman Gill (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

The defeat was largely attributed to India's substandard fielding, with a staggering eight catches dropped across both innings. These errors proved costly, allowing England to successfully chase down a target of 371 runs.

A significant beneficiary of India's fielding woes was England opener Ben Duckett, who was dropped in both innings. Duckett capitalized on these reprieves, scoring a remarkable 211 runs, including a match-winning 149 in the fourth innings. His stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match award and propelled England to a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Haddin, speaking on the Willow Talk podcast, emphasized the importance of fielding excellence for any successful team. "Every great team, no matter what year you're playing, the one standout feature they've always had is that they've been a great fielding team. And I think that is one legacy Gill has start to leave now on this team. He needs an attitude adjustment," Haddin stated.

Haddin also alluded to potential negative influences stemming from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, suggesting a correlation between the tournament and declining fielding standards.

"If you want to field well and compete the whole time, it's only attitude. You can do all your technical work off the field and have as many coaches as anyone, but it won't matter. Even in the IPL this year, the catching was horrible. And that could be a byproduct," Haddin added, highlighting the importance of maintaining focus and intensity.

While the Indian team showcased their batting prowess by posting competitive totals in both innings, their efforts were overshadowed by the poor fielding display. The pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, struggled to make a significant impact, further hampered by the dropped catches.

India is now gearing up for the second Test match, scheduled to be held at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham from July 2-6, 2025. Addressing their fielding concerns will be crucial for the team to level the series.

England has already announced its squad for the second Test, with Ben Stokes continuing to lead the team. The squad features key players such as Jofra Archer, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Chris Woakes, who will be aiming to extend their lead in the series.