Former India Selector Blasts Fielding Blunders After Test Defeat Against England

Former India Selector Criticizes Team's Fielding After First Test Loss to England

Following India's five-wicket defeat to England in the first Test at Headingley, former Indian cricket selector and wicketkeeper Kiran More has called for patience, while also pinpointing fielding lapses as a key factor in the loss.

Yashasvi Jaiswal of India.

"We played very well for four days," More told IANS. "I think the mistake came on the last day when England played outstanding cricket. Fielding was where we slipped. Those were simple catches — no one drops those — and that made the difference.”

England successfully chased down a target of 371 runs on the final day, taking a 1-0 lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Ben Duckett led the charge with 149, supported by Joe Root's unbeaten 53 and Jamie Smith's 44 not out. This victory represents England's second-highest successful chase ever, and their highest against India in Test matches.

"In the first two days, we were really good, and I felt we could've added another 100–150 runs to our total. If we had scored 450 in the first innings, things might've been different. In the second innings, Rishabh and KL Rahul did well. But again, we collapsed at key moments."

India's first innings saw them post 471, including centuries from Shubman Gill (147), Rishabh Pant (134), and Yashasvi Jaiswal (101). However, they then suffered a collapse, losing seven wickets for only 41 runs. England responded with 465, featuring contributions from Duckett (62), Ollie Pope (106), and Brook (99), with their last five wickets adding 189 crucial runs.

In their second innings, India appeared to be in a commanding position at 333/4, thanks to a 195-run partnership between Pant (118) and K.L. Rahul (137). However, they then lost six wickets for just 31 runs, eventually being dismissed for 364 and setting England a target of 371.

"We've got a good, balanced team, but this team is still in transition. I think we need to give them time — a year or so — to settle, find the right combination, and grow into a strong unit. We've scored over 750 runs across both innings, so the batting is there. But we can't keep depending on Bumrah. He needs support — especially from the spinners."

Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless in the second innings despite his best efforts. Prasidh Krishna proved to be expensive, and the dropped catches, particularly those of Harry Brook, proved costly for the Indian team.

"We've seen it before — from Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin, to Kohli and Rohit. Now it's time for new faces to step up. They need time and support. If we keep playing like this and keep making the same mistakes, we won't improve. But give this group time, and we'll have a good team."

The successful chase at Headingley was the third time a target over 350 has been achieved at this ground. It was also only the third match in Test history where all four innings exceeded 350 runs.