Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant might score runs effortlessly one after another, but the significance of Test cricket lies in how well you execute your plans on the field to turn yourselves from good to great. You must also have all the troops ready based on excellent squad selections. However, Shubman Gill, while captaining at Headingley on Saturday during the first Test between England and India, seemed nothing but average as a leader, and to be very honest, a few questionable calls in the squad and playing XIs did not make his life easy either.
India looked in full control after a dominant Day 1 and strong start to Day 2. Shubman Gill smashed 147, and Rishabh Pant celebrated a century with a trademark somersault, pushing India to a commanding position. However, things took a dramatic turn as India lost 7 wickets for just 41 runs, getting bowled out for 471, after having looked set for a score close to 600.
Individual brilliance will save you days and help you enjoy short-lived success. However, to achieve real glory in the traditional format of the game, there must be a great blend of youth and experience at the helm. India, in that matter, lack the necessary fusion.
Dramatic collapse as India falls from 430 for 3 to 471 all out
After a one-sided Day 1, England regained some momentum on Day 2 against India, in their ongoing first Test match, in Leeds on Saturday. On Saturday, England bowled better and showed more energy. The first hour of Day 2 had India in control, and fans also got to Rishabh Pant perform a somersault in celebration after getting his ton. But soon England began to fightback, removing Shubman Gill for 147 and then soon India folded for 471, losing seven wickets for only 41 runs.
There was a slight rain delay after that and then England began to get control in their innings, facing Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah sent Zak Crawley back early. Bumrah was making chances, but his teammates failed to capitalise. Ben Duckett was dropped twice early, and he made 62 before Bumrah castled him.
After a shaky start, Ollie Pope settled into the game as the ball got older and pitch got flatter. He also went on to get back-to-back Test tons. Bumrah forced a false shot off Joe Root and also got Harry Brook, only to be denied by the no-balls in the last over. Bumrah didn’t get any support from his teammates as England reached 209/3 at the end of Day 2.
Following this dramatic collapse, Former India captain Sourav Ganguly seemed unhappy about Team India’s tactics and have raised questions regarding the same.
I would have played Arshdeep Singh- Sourav Ganguly on Shubman Gill’s team selection
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has voiced concerns over Team India’s selection and performance following a sudden batting collapse on Day 2 of the India vs England 1st Test at Headingley, Leeds.
Speaking to PTI, Ganguly said India missed an opportunity to capitalise on England’s dry pitch conditions. He also took a dig at Gautam Gambhir’s selection strategy, stating that Arshdeep Singh, with his left-arm angle, should have been preferred over Prasidh Krishna.
“Kuldeep will play slowly. It’s a long series. I would have played Arshdeep… for the different angle,” Ganguly remarked.
Analysing England’s bowling department, he said
“They bowl too short actually. Halfway through yesterday, they were bowling only short to Shubman Gill. But it’s okay. They’ll learn. It’s just the first Test.”
Ganguly also warned that India may not get such favourable conditions again and urged them to finish the job.
“India must win this. They won’t get this opportunity again,” he said.
Ganguly, however, refrained from predicting the outcome of the series, calling it “too early to say.”
On Day 3, Pope (100*) and Harry Brook (0*) will resume batting, and will look to build on England’s response from the previous day.
With the trophy cabinet being full and overflowing with silverware, India still aim to secure their first-ever WTC title. The race has just begun, but the early signs already indicate that the newly formed Test side, headed by Gill and Gambhir, is not going towards the right direction.
The only fear for Indian fans at this point is when the BCCI realises the fact. If it is too late after a few defeats and the WTC final qualification chances are slim, the wait for the coveted mace will be extended for another two years. And if it happens again, fans involved in the cricket discussion at tea stalls, which are almost found in every corner of India, won’t be able to avoid sadness from their faces once more.
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