ENG vs IND: Shubman Gill Throws Lower-Order Batters Under the Bus Ahead of Birmingham Test
ENG vs IND: India’s twin batting collapse in both innings of the first Test was one of the key reasons why India endured a five-wicket defeat to England in Leeds. This defeat also created an unwanted record for the Indian team, as it became the first side in the history of the game to lose a Test match despite its batters scoring five centuries in the match.
For the majority of the match, the visitors were in a position of strength as the top-order piled up runs, pushing the hosts on the back foot. The lower order, however, couldn’t capitalise on the brilliant foundation set by the top order as India lost the last six-seven wickets for around 30-40-odd runs.
On the contrary, England’s lower-order added over 100 runs in the first innings, allowing them to cut short the deficit to only six runs.
Indian lower batting order’s shambolic performance allowed Ben Stokes’ team to keep themselves alive in the game as they chased down a 371-run target with five wickets to spare in the fourth innings to go 1-0 up in the five-match series.
Addressing the journalists on the eve of the second Test, Indian captain Shubman Gill took a swipe at the lower-order batters, comparing them to those of other countries. The young captain said that they have always known that Indian bowlers aren’t as useful with the willow as some other teams. It was a sly dig at his team’s own players following their disappointing performance.
“It's been one of the things that we always talk about, especially with our batting depth, that our batting lower order sometimes isn't able to contribute as much as the other teams,” Gill told reporters.
“But having said that, you can also look at the other side as well. I was batting on 147, and the way I got out, maybe I could have scored 50 more in a partnership with Rishabh. If you get a good ball and you get out, that's fine,” he added.
“But once you are set and you know that you don't really have that much depth in your batting order, maybe the top order could take a little bit more responsibility and bat completely out of the game.
“So I think these are different perspectives to look at the game. But definitely your lower order, when your last 5 or 6 doesn't contribute as much, then it becomes easier for the opposition to come back in the game,” he explained.
Gill would be hoping that the lower-order comes good in the second Test, which gets underway on July 2, 2025, at Edgbaston.