As stinging as Tuesday’s five-wicket reverse in opposition to England within the first Test at Headingley was, India coach Gautam Gambhir put up a courageous face and refused to single out anybody.
There had been dropped catches galore, twin lower-order batting failures and a bowling assault — with the honourable exception of Jasprit Bumrah — that blew scorching and chilly.
“The first thing is that catches get dropped,” Gambhir mentioned after the match. “The best fielders drop catches. The lower-order batting was a bit disappointing. If we had made 600 in the first innings, we could have dominated. Hopefully we will learn in the second Test [in Birmingham].
“But that is not the only reason we lost. Everyone wants to contribute and I won’t single out anyone. We lose together and win together.”
Asked if such an enormous defeat the place India allowed England to actually cruise to a 371-run goal would demoralise a younger group led by a first-time captain, Gambhir mentioned that the loss will harm the identical, new group or not.
“Every defeat is bad. It’s not about the young team. It’s about the experience. We take pride in winning each and every game for our country. Young team is not an excuse. We represent 140 crore proud Indians and we will try and give our absolute best with no excuses.”
Gambhir additionally confirmed that the loss won’t change the truth that Bumrah will play solely two extra Tests throughout this tour.
“To manage his workload is more important. There’s a lot of cricket going forward and we know what he brings to the table. Before we came on this tour, it was already decided that he was going to play three Test matches. We haven’t decided which two other Tests he’s going to play.”
