The Indian cricket team, led by new captain Shubman Gill, had a rough start in the first Test against England in Leeds, losing by five wickets. The match looked like it might end in a draw until India’s lower order fell apart with the bat. England chased down a target of 371 runs, finishing the game in the last session without too much trouble as India’s bowlers struggled to take wickets.
Former player Ravi Shastri pointed out that India really missed Virat Kohli during the match. On Day 5, when England’s openers Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley scored freely, Shastri remarked, India needs someone to step up like Kohli did. He could handle the pressure for three people.
Another former player, Madan Lal, agreed, saying on X, We lacked the passion and intensity that Virat Kohli brought to the game. Ravi Shastri was on point. It’s worth mentioning that both Kohli and Rohit Sharma aren’t playing in this series after retiring from Test cricket in May. Shubman Gill has taken over as Test captain, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy.
Looking back at the game, India’s lower-order batting was a letdown, leading to their defeat by five wickets. For the first three days, a draw or an Indian win seemed likely, but poor batting let England take control. Ben Duckett scored 149 runs, helping England chase down the target easily. Rishabh Pant scored centuries in both innings, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and captain Gill also chipped in with tons. Jasprit Bumrah stood out for India with a five-wicket haul in the match.