Leeds [UK], June 25: Following India’s five-wicket loss to England in the first Test at Headingley, head coach Gautam Gambhir has thrown his weight behind Shubman Gill, urging fans and critics to be patient with the youngest-ever Indian Test captain.
Gill’s maiden outing as Test skipper came under intense scrutiny after India squandered a dominant position to lose the series opener. Despite leading for most of the match, a second-innings collapse and England’s record-breaking chase left Gill’s captaincy debut on a disappointing note.
💬 Gambhir: “Phenomenal Start” Despite Defeat
Gambhir praised Gill’s composure and leadership in testing conditions, calling his performance “phenomenal” and reminding the media and fans that it’s just the beginning.
“It’s a great honour to captain India. Obviously, there are nerves in your first Test as skipper, but Shubman handled it brilliantly. The way he batted in the first innings—scoring a hundred—showed character,” Gambhir said in the post-match press conference.
“Give him time. These are tough places to captain. It’s like pushing someone into the deep sea. He will come out as a proper professional.”
🏏 Gill’s First Test as Captain: Mixed Bag
- First Innings: Gill showcased his class with a brilliant 147 off 227 balls, forming a 195-run stand with vice-captain Rishabh Pant. His fluent strokeplay dismantled England’s relatively inexperienced pace attack.
- Second Innings: He fell cheaply for 8, dragging the ball onto his stumps—a dismissal that highlighted India’s broader second-innings struggle.
With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma absent from the series, Gill’s elevation to captain marked a generational shift in Indian Test cricket.
🇮🇳 India’s Missed Opportunity
India looked set for their first Test win at Headingley since 2002, but a late batting collapse and England’s fearless chase, driven by Ben Duckett’s 149 and *Joe Root’s 53 **, turned the tide.
Despite the result, India had numerous positives, including centuries from KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant, and a fighting first-innings total of 471.
🔄 Looking Ahead
Gambhir reiterated faith in the team’s direction under Gill, emphasizing that tough tours like these are where leaders are truly forged.
“He’s got everything it takes to be a successful captain. It’s early days, and he’s going to get better from here,” Gambhir concluded.
India will look to bounce back in the second Test and level the series under their young skipper’s evolving leadership.