NEW DELHI– Former India wicketkeeper-batter Deep Dasgupta called India’s comeback to level the five-match Test series in England “unbelievable,” especially given the team’s transitional phase and the absence of veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Led by first-time Test captain Shubman Gill, a largely inexperienced squad managed to draw the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2-2 after trailing 2-1 following the Lord’s Test. Only eight players in the squad had prior Test experience in England. Further raising concerns was the decision to play Jasprit Bumrah in only three of the five Tests.
Despite those challenges, India rallied in the final two matches to tie the series. Dasgupta said the result proved that the future of India’s Test team is in safe hands.
Gill’s performance with the bat was a standout. He scored 754 runs during the series, including a century in the first innings of the opening Test. Dasgupta said Gill looked solid throughout and appeared to grow into his leadership role as his form improved.
While praising Gill’s batting, Dasgupta said the young captain still has room to grow tactically. He pointed to some questionable team selections and bowling changes but noted that such issues are part of the learning curve for a new skipper.
One notable selection controversy was the exclusion of spinner Kuldeep Yadav throughout the series. Dasgupta said the decision wasn’t Gill’s alone and involved the team management, including coach Gautam Gambhir. He added that Gill, who lacks red-ball captaincy experience, will benefit from continued support and guidance.
India’s batting lineup received contributions from several players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Akash Deep. However, the number three spot remains unsettled. Dasgupta said players like Sai Sudharsan, Karun Nair, or Abhimanyu Easwaran could be considered for that role going forward.
He highlighted Rishabh Pant’s decision to bat with a fractured foot during the first innings at Old Trafford as a defining image of the series, calling it symbolic of the team’s fighting spirit and identity.
Looking ahead to the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, Dasgupta said India’s overseas credentials are strong, but the team now needs to prove itself at home. He stressed the importance of developing a seam-bowling all-rounder and getting more lower-order contributions with the bat. He pointed to Nitish Kumar Reddy as a promising option for the future.
Dasgupta also commented on the debate between selecting an extra bowler or batting depth. He said Kuldeep Yadav could feature more often once India’s top seven is settled and reliable. He noted that the lack of lower-order runs and uncertainty at number three made the team cautious in selection.
He added that a stable number three, similar to the role once played by Rahul Dravid or Cheteshwar Pujara, would give the lineup psychological balance and allow for more aggressive decisions elsewhere. (Source: IANS)
