India captain Shubman Gill identified a number of faultlines in his side’s showing against England in a five-wicket loss in the first Test at Headingley here on Tuesday.
“(It was) a brilliant Test. We had our chances. Dropped catches and lower order not contributing cost us. Yesterday, we were thinking of giving them 430, but our last wickets fell for 25,” Gill told broadcasters after the defeat.
“We spoke about the first-innings collapse. It happens. We have to rectify that going forward. Chances don’t come easy on wickets like this, but we have a young team. We hope to improve on that,” he added.
A majestic 149 from Ben Duckett helped England chase down the 371-run fourth innings target and take a 1-0 series lead over India.
The left-handed opener combined for a 188-run opening partnership with Zak Crawley to set the host on its way in the chase before Joe Root’s unbeaten half century sealed the deal on the final day of the five-day fixture.
“The first session, we bowled spot-on, didn’t give away runs, but it’s hard to stop runs once the ball gets old. We have to keep taking wickets when the ball got soft. (Ravindra) Jadeja bowled brilliantly, created chances, had a pop-up Rishabh (Pant) didn’t see. It happens,” he said.
On pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s availability for the next Test in Edgbaston, Gill did not disclose much.
“ It’s decided game-by-game. Once we’re close to the next game after a long break, we’ll see.”