India’s opening Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy ended in disappointment as England completed a stunning chase of 371 runs, raising questions over debutant Test captain Shubman Gill’s field settings and leadership approach. Playing his first Test as skipper, Gill’s defensive strategy—especially on Day 5—has sparked widespread debate.
Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar weighed in on the controversy, remarking during a JioHotstar segment that Gill’s over-reliance on boundary riders under overcast skies allowed England to ease into the chase without facing sustained pressure. He highlighted that a more aggressive captain, such as Virat Kohli, would have set attacking fields and aimed to bowl England out before tea.
“I hesitate to compare him to Kohli, but Virat would have said, ‘We have the runs, let’s bowl them out before tea.’ Gill had a more reactive setup, cutting boundaries rather than pushing for wickets,” said Manjrekar. He acknowledged, however, that Gill lacked the potent pace attack Kohli once commanded, which included Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma at their peaks.
Despite India’s fielding lapses—most notably a dropped catch of Ben Duckett by Yashasvi Jaiswal and missed opportunities by Bumrah—the day belonged to England’s top order. Duckett (149) and Zak Crawley (65) stitched together a monumental 188-run stand, marking the fifth-highest fourth-innings opening partnership in Test cricket history. Their calm and calculated aggression neutralised the Indian bowling threat in challenging conditions.
India did briefly strike back after lunch with three quick wickets, including Duckett and Crawley. Yet, the resistance from England captain Joe Root (53*) and Jamie Smith (44*), who ended the match with a six, shut the door on India’s comeback hopes.
England’s win under Brendon McCullum’s leadership marks their 12th successful run chase in 18 Tests, cementing their reputation for aggressive yet strategic play. The match also entered the history books as only the third Test ever in which all four innings crossed 350 runs—offering entertainment and high-stakes drama till the final ball.
While some are critical of Gill’s conservative tactics, others call for patience as the young cricketer adjusts to his leadership role. “He’s new, and we must give him time. But Test cricket is brutal, and results matter,” added Manjrekar.