India's Collapse: Gambhir Defends Lower Order But Acknowledges Broader Issues in Test Defeat

India's aspirations at Headingley met a bitter end on the fifth day, as England completed a remarkable 371-run chase. This defeat marks India's seventh in their last nine Tests, a particularly painful one given their initial control of the match.

Despite amassing 835 runs and witnessing centuries from five batsmen, including Rishabh Pant with a ton in each innings, India fell short due to two significant batting collapses.

India's batting woes manifested in two critical phases: a loss of 7 wickets for 41 runs in the first innings, followed by 6 wickets for 31 in the second. The first collapse negated India's advantage after winning the toss, allowing England to get close to India's first innings total of 471. The second collapse then put India on the back foot, defending a chaseable target of 371.

Shubman Gill, after his century in the first innings, mentioned the team's target was "around 435". However, head coach Gautam Gambhir believed the momentum shifted earlier, suggesting that a first-innings score of "570, 580" could have sealed India's dominance.

Missed catches plagued India's performance. © Getty

Gambhir defended the lower order's performance, stating, "Look, first of all, it's not that they weren't applying themselves. Sometimes people fail. And that's okay." He acknowledged the disappointment within the team, emphasizing their hard work and the unpredictable nature of the game. "Even proper batters fail," he noted, hoping for improved performances from the tail in the future. He was firm, however, that this was not the only reason for losing the Test match.

Another critical factor was India's poor catching. They dropped seven catches, with Yashasvi Jaiswal being a repeat offender. Ben Duckett, dropped on 97, capitalized on the error to score a match-defining 149. Gill acknowledged the dropped catches, highlighting the need to improve fielding standards, particularly on challenging wickets. He however remained optimistic, emphasizing the youth and learning nature of the team.

Despite this, Gambhir dismissed the 'young team' narrative as an excuse. "Every defeat is bad. It's not about a young team or an experienced team. It's an Indian team," he asserted. He emphasized the pride in representing the nation and the commitment to winning every game, regardless of experience.

Gambhir also confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah would play only two more Tests, as pre-planned, to manage his workload. The decision on which two Tests was yet to be made. He expressed confidence in the remaining bowling attack, emphasizing that the squad selection was based on trust and belief in their abilities. "We believe and we trust that these boys will deliver for us," he concluded, highlighting their potential despite their inexperience.