Former Selector Blasts India's Fielding Blunders After Test Defeat; Calls for Patience Amid Transition

Former Selector More Criticizes India's Fielding After First Test Loss

Former Indian selector Kiran More has called for patience with the Indian Test team following their five-wicket defeat to England in the first Test. He specifically pointed to poor fielding as a critical factor in the loss.

Yashasvi Jaiswal of India (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

"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 series. Ben Duckett led the charge with 149, supported by Joe Root's unbeaten 53 and Jamie Smith's 44 not out. This victory stands as England's second-highest successful chase ever and their highest against India.

More added, "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 amass 471 runs, fueled by centuries from Shubman Gill (147), Rishabh Pant (134), and Yashasvi Jaiswal (101). However, a subsequent collapse saw them lose seven wickets for a mere 41 runs. England responded strongly with 465, with significant contributions from Duckett (62), Ollie Pope (106), and Brook (99), 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 suffered another collapse, losing their last six wickets for just 31 runs and eventually being dismissed for 364, 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."

Highlights from the 1st Test: England vs India

Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless in the second innings despite his best efforts. Prasidh Krishna proved expensive, and the dropped catches, especially those of Harry Brook, proved costly for India's chances.

"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 marked the third time a target over 350 has been achieved at this ground. The match also made history as only the third Test where all four innings exceeded 350 runs.