Shubman Gill Faces Criticism After India's Fielding Lapses in Test Loss

Shubman Gill's captaincy is under scrutiny following India's disappointing fielding performance in a Test match against England, which resulted in a five-wicket loss. Despite strong batting efforts, the team dropped eight chances, allowing England to chase down a record 371 runs. Former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin emphasized the need for Gill to improve fielding standards and instill a winning attitude in the team. With the series still open, Gill must lead not only with the bat but also by enhancing the team's discipline and energy on the field. The pressure is on as India looks to bounce back in the upcoming matches.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 28, 2025, 10:34 IST

India's Test Captain Under Fire

Shubman Gill, the newly appointed Test captain of India, is facing scrutiny following a disappointing fielding performance that led to a five-wicket defeat against England in the first match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley. The Indian team lamented eight missed opportunities throughout both innings, allowing England to successfully chase down a record 371 runs, marking their second-highest successful run chase in Test cricket history.

Although India's batting lineup showed promise, their lackluster fielding and a pace attack that failed to support Jasprit Bumrah effectively undermined their efforts. England's Ben Duckett emerged as the star of the match, scoring an impressive 149 runs in the final innings. Ironically, Duckett was dropped twice during the game—once in each innings—and ultimately finished with a match-winning total of 211 runs, earning him the Player of the Match title.

In a discussion on the Willow Talk podcast, former Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin expressed his concerns, stating that Gill needs to elevate India's fielding standards if the team aims to be a formidable force in Test cricket under his captaincy.

Haddin emphasized, "Every great team, regardless of the era, is founded on outstanding fielding. This must become Gill's legacy—to foster that culture. Fielding is fundamentally about attitude. You can have all the coaches available, but if the mindset is lacking, it won't matter. Frankly, the catching during this year's IPL was equally subpar, and we might be witnessing the repercussions of that now."

Haddin also highlighted India's batting collapses as an additional source of concern, which has intensified pressure on the top order. In the first innings, India fell from a strong position of 430 for 3 to being all out for 471. In the second innings, they lost six wickets for just 31 runs while attempting to establish a defendable lead.

"India's middle and lower order has not risen to the occasion. Once you get past the top three or four, the rest can be dismissed quickly. This has been a recurring pattern," he remarked.

With the series still open, the onus is now on Gill—not only to perform with the bat but also to instill discipline, energy, and intent within the fielding unit. India must quickly regroup if they wish to avoid falling behind in what promises to be a fiercely competitive series.