IND vs ENG: India’s Lower Order Under Scanner After Shocking Collapse in 1st Test: Gill Admits Need for Rethink

Ray Sportz Web Desk: In the wake of India’s five-wicket defeat against England in the opening Test at Headingley, Indian skipper Shubman Gill acknowledged the need for a serious re-evaluation of the team’s lower-order batting performance.
Despite a stellar show from the top and middle-order — with five Indian batters, including vice-captain Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Gill himself, registering centuries — India failed to convert their strong starts into match-winning totals. This marks the first time in Indian cricket history that the team has lost a Test despite five individual hundreds in a single match.
The first innings saw India collapse dramatically from a commanding 430 for 3 to 471 all out, losing their last seven wickets for just 41 runs. A similar story unfolded in the second innings, where the team slid from 333 for 4 to 364 all out, surrendering six wickets for a mere 31 runs.
Speaking after the match, Gill said, “Our lower-order batting definitely needs a relook. We were in commanding positions in both innings, but failed to capitalize. It cost us the match.”
India also faltered in the field, dropping crucial catches that allowed England to stay in the contest and eventually chase down the target with five wickets in hand.
The second Test of the series is set to begin next week, and all eyes will be on how India responds — particularly in shoring up the fragile lower-order and tightening fielding standards.