Shubman Gill opens up on reasons behind Team India’s Leeds defeat

New Indian Test skipper Shubman Gill has revealed the reasons behind Team India's defeat in the Leeds Test to England by five wickets. He stated that the dropped catches and lower-order collapse turned out to be the major factor behind India’s drubbing.

It’s important to note that the Indian batters scored five centuries in the Leeds Test and went on to lose the game. While Yashasvi Jaiswal initiated the game with a century, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant also scored their respective tons in the first innings.

Moreover, in the second innings, KL Rahul scored his century in a gritty manner. A few balls later, Pant smacked his second ton of the game to make it twin centuries, emerging as the first Indian batter to score twin centuries in England.

Notably, India collapsed from 430/3 to 471 in the first innings to lose seven wickets for 41 runs, while they collapsed from 333/4 to 364 in the second innings to lose six wickets for 31 runs. Importantly, Indian fielders also dropped seven catches in the match.

“It was a brilliant Test match. We had our chances, we dropped catches and our lower-order didn't contribute enough, but proud of the team and overall a good effort. Yesterday, we were thinking around 430 odd and declared, but we lost six wickets for 25 runs (31),” Gill said during the post-match presentation ceremony.

“Unfortunately, we didn't score runs at the end which always makes it difficult. (It) just didn't go our way in this match. That (lower-order contribution) was something we spoke about. (But) it (collapses) happened so quickly. (It) could be one of those things we have to rectify in the upcoming matches,” he added.

Also, Gill asserted that there is a huge gap ahead of the start of the second Test. Since there is a gap, they will take a call on the Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah’s availability a few days later. The second Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham will start on Wednesday, July 2.

“It's definitely more game by game. Once we are close to the match, we will see,” he concluded.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky365 and download the Sky365 App to start betting today!