Shubman Gill’s Blunt Verdict After India’s Lord’s Test Loss: “We Needed More Discipline” – 4 Key Takeaways
After India’s defeat in the Lord’s Test against England, Shubman Gill delivered a blunt verdict, saying, “We needed more discipline.” His honest assessment highlights key flaws in India’s performance and sparks discussion ahead of the next match
Shubman Gill was “extremely proud” of the fight that his team put up after being down and out but rued the absence of one fifty partnership and Rishabh Pant’s first innings run-out in their 22-run defeat against England in the third Test at the Lord’s. Ravindra Jadeja fought gamely with a dogged unbeaten 61 off 181 balls and nearly took India home with Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj before the team got all out for 170. “Extremely proud it was as close a Test match as it can get, played over five days and comes down to the last session. I was pretty confident of our chances with plenty of batting left. We needed a couple of 50-run partnerships but we weren’t able to get that,” Gill said during the post-match prize distribution ceremony.
He did admit that had Pant not been run-out in the first innings, India could have got a 70 to 80-run lead and may not have to chase nearly 200 on a tricky fifth day track.
Asked if players are putting too much emphasis on personal milestones as KL Rahul admitted that he had a discussion with Pant about reaching his hundred before lunch, Gill said that they have had discussions.
“Actually it was an error of judgement as far as the run is concerned and that can happen. And if you look closely, it was KL bhai, who was running at the danger’s end.”
He also defended Ravindra Jadeja’s tactic of not going for big shots with two wickets left.
Asked if there was any message for him, Gill replied: “He is very experienced and there was no message sent. He batted brilliantly with the tail. It was the final hour (on day four), we could have applied ourselves better.
“Of 15 days of Test cricket, we dominated the maximum days but the sessions that were bad were so bad that we lost two games. The series scorecard won’t reflect how we have played,” he added.
India lost the Lord’s Test by 7 wickets, allowing England to level the five-match series 1-1. After taking a slender lead in the first innings, India collapsed in the second innings and set a below-par target of 221, which England chased down comfortably, thanks to a fluent 98 from opener Zak Crawley and a solid middle-order partnership.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Shubman Gill reflected on the team’s overall failure, particularly in crucial phases.
The young batter also emphasized the need for patience and smarter decision-making.
“It’s not about playing aggressive or defensive cricket. It’s about being smart and staying in the game session by session. We let it slip, and they took advantage,” he added.
India’s batting faltered once again under swinging conditions. After posting a competitive first-innings total of 317, the visitors were bundled out for 174 in their second innings. Gill himself managed to contribute 43 runs in the first innings but was dismissed early in the second.
The middle order, including Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant, failed to convert starts, while the tail failed to wag, leaving England with a relatively easy chase on a Day 4 pitch.
The bowlers, who had kept India in the contest during the first innings, were unable to extract the same movement and control during the final innings. Despite an early breakthrough by Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian attack failed to build pressure, allowing England’s batsmen to chase down the target with relative ease.
With the series now level, India will head into the third Test with serious questions about their batting depth and bowling consistency. The team management is expected to make changes, particularly in the middle order and spin department.
Gill, however, remains optimistic about India’s chances in the remaining matches.
“We’ve bounced back before. This team has the character and experience to turn things around. It’s just about staying focused and executing our plans better,” he concluded.
The third Test begins on July 23 at Headingley, a venue where swing and seam conditions can be even more challenging than Lord’s. India will need to regroup quickly, correct their mistakes, and come up with a solid plan to reclaim the lead in what is shaping up to be a gripping Test series.
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