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Team India recorded a five-wicket loss against England in the first Test at Headingley, despite sensational batting performances from the top-order and upper-middle-order in both innings. In the crucial, India got five centurions which helped them to deliver a huge target of 371 to the home side. Noting England’s ‘Bazball’ style, Team India were expected to put up a disciplined bowling show in the second innings but Shubman Gill’s bowlers struggled to do any damage to the home side on time. Fielders also relapsed the situation as they failed to seal catches and save valuable runs.
In the end, Team India failed to save the target as England chased down the score comfortably to take a 1-0 lead. Noting India’s egregious performance in the contest, legend Sunil Gavaskar has given a reality check to Gill’s side. "Full credit to England. Despite India having five centurions, they seemed to have that confidence. That is what made them take the final wickets. So that is where India also missed out because those extra runs could have made the difference. As far as the fielding was concerned, it's just not the catch but the out-fielding was pretty ordinary. Not Test class,” said Gavaskar on Sony Sports.
India will look to strike back in Birmingham
Forgetting previous failures, India will look to be positive in the second Test to be held at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground from July 2 to 6. The team management will have to boost the confidence of the bowling attack which struggled to trouble the English batting attack.
If Jasprit Bumrah fails to record his presence, it will be Mohammed Siraj’s responsibility to spearhead the fast-bowling unit and deliver wickets early in the match. Both teams last met in Birmingham in 2022 and England chased down the massive target of 378 against India, who played under Jasprit Bumrah’s leadership.
