‘Not Test class’ - Sunil Gavaskar slams Indian team after Leeds Test defeat

Former Indian captain and commentator Sunil Gavaskar slammed the Indian team, led by Shubman Gill for their dropped catches and lower-order batting collapse, which turned out to be the reasons behind India’s five-wicket drubbing in the Leeds Test.

Interestingly, Team India has five centurions in the first of the five-match Test series. However, they couldn’t start the series on a winning note as there were a total of seven dropped catches by the Indian fielders.

Moreover, in the first innings, India collapsed from 430/3 to 471 to lose seven wickets for 41 runs while they collapsed from 333/4 to 364 in the second innings to lose their bottom six wickets for 31 runs. 

"Full credit to England. Despite India having five centurions, they seemed to have that confidence. That is what made them take the final wickets. So that is where India also missed out because those extra runs could have made the difference. As far as the fielding was concerned, it's just not the catch but the out-fielding was pretty ordinary. Not Test class," Sunil Gavaskar said on Sony Sports. 

While the Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah scalped his 12th five-wicket haul away from home in Tests in the first innings, he couldn’t create an impact in the second innings as the Leeds surface continued to assist batters in the fourth innings.

"Very good pitch to bat on, so very tough to criticise the bowlers. Bumrah bowled so well. If he had somebody, keeping it a bit tight, that would have been a big help. But this is the first Test. Hopefully, lessons have been learned. There are eight days for the next match,” he added.

Furthermore, Gavaskar urged the Indian players to practice more before the second Test commences. Notably, India will take on England in the second of the five-match Test series at Edgbaston in Birmingham, starting on Wednesday, July 2.

"Next couple of days you can take off, but now seriously get into practice. Leave this optional practice aside. You have come here to play for India. So, you practice in a way so that you will give yourself the best," he said.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at BetBarter and download the BetBarter app to start betting today!