'I would have...': Sourav Ganguly questions Gautam Gambhir's selection strategy; cautions Shubman Gill after India's Collapse for 471
After a dominant performance by India on Day 1, England bounced back with vigorous momentum on Day 2 of the first Test in Leeds on Saturday. The English bowlers showed a better performance, greater discipline and intensity, injecting much-needed momentum into their campaign. Amid this, Sourav Ganguly questioned the exclusion of the pacer and called out Gautam Gambhir's tactics. Let's find out what happened.
On Saturday, during the first hour of day 2, India was in control, while fans also got to see Rishabh Pant's performance, but soon England began to fight back, dismissing Shubman Gill for 147. This is when India folded for 471, losing seven wickets for only 41 runs.
Following this, there was a slight delay due to rain, after that, which led England to start to get control in their innings, facing Jasprit Bumrah. The 31-year-old bowler managed to send back Zak Crawley early, making chances, but his other teammates failed to capitalise on it.
Rishabh Pant at his unconventional best during his spectacular outing in Leeds 😉#ENGvIND 📝: https://t.co/FXxW1HkGLm pic.twitter.com/DUUdfLZdhI
Sourav Ganguly reacts to the India vs England clash
After a shaky start, Ollie Pope found his rhythm as the ball softened and the pitch eased up, eventually bringing up consecutive Test centuries. On the other hand, Bumrah managed to draw a flash stroke from Joe Root and dismissed Harry Brook, but both efforts were undone by no-balls in the final over.
Finally, with little support from other bowlers, Bumrah watched as England closed Day 2 at 209/3. Amid this, Sourav Ganguly reacted to the match by speaking to PTI.
According to Ganguly, India is in a strong position to reach 600 runs and said, "Nobody expects Headingley to be so dry. But what will happen is, if they get 600, it starts getting a bit up and down"
He added that India must win this as they won't get this opportunity again.
Sourav Ganguly calls out Gautam Gambhir for his selection decision
Ganguly went on to talk about Gautam Gambhir's selection decision too and said that he doesn't agree with Gambhir's selection, as Arshdeep Singh should have been picked ahead of Prasidh Krishna.
'Kuldeep will play slowly. It's a long series. I would have played Arsh. Because of a different angle (for being a left-hander). But it's okay. They're good,' he added.
VIDEO | In an exclusive interview with PTI CEO and Editor-in-Chief Vijay Joshi, former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) reflects on his retirement, acknowledging it wasn't forced but subtly signaled with the emergence of younger talent.He says, 'Everything… pic.twitter.com/6b0UsZmRAb
Warning tip for Shubman Gill
The former Indian cricketer, along with calling Gambhir's selection, also shared a warning for the current Test captain. After analysing England's bowling departure, he felt that they bowled too short, and halfway through yesterday, they were bowling only short to Shubman Gill.
"But it's okay. They'll learn. It's just the first Test," Ganguly said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
36 minutes ago
- News18
Ex-ENG Captain Praises Bumrah, Says 'He Would Get Me Out 10 Times Out Of 10'
Last Updated: Nasser Hussain has reserved big praise for star Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who is leading the bowling attack for Shubman Gill & Co. in the Leeds Test against England. Former England men's cricket team captain Nasser Hussain has reserved big praise for Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. According to Hussain, who has donned the hat of an expert and commentator after retirement from professional cricket, Bumrah is so good that if he had faced him then, he would have lost his wicket 10 times out of 10 against him. 'I would have had an absolute nightmare. Anyone that created that angle like he does would get me out for fun. He would get me out 10 times out of 10 in a five-match series. He is just brilliant, and I wasn't," Nasser said in a video shared by Sky Sports Cricket when asked, 'How would Nasser Hussain play Jasprit Bumrah?" — Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 22, 2025 Nasser was one of the greatest English batters of all time. The Chennai-born cricketer played 96 Tests and 88 ODIs for Three Lions from October 1989 to May 2004 and scored over 8000 runs. He also served as England's captain in both the Test and ODI formats of the game. Bumrah's career in numbers Bumrah made his international debut for India against Australia during an ODI match played in Sydney in January 2016. Since then he has featured in 45 Tests, 89 ODIs, and 70 T20Is and has more than 400 wickets to his name. Bumrah played a big role in India's T20 World Cup title win last year, and for his super show with the ball, he won the Player of the Tournament award as well. He picked up 32 wickets for India in the 2024-25 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and bagged the ICC Cricketer and ICC Test Cricketer of the Year awards in 2024. Bumrah, who is the world's No. 1 Test bowler, is leading India's bowling attack in the ongoing first Test against England in Leeds, and on Sunday, June 22, he picked up a five-wicket haul. Bumrah finished England's first innings with figures of 4 for 83 in 24.4 overs. The five-wicket haul in the first innings helped him break multiple bowling records. He became the first Asian bowler to take 150 Test wickets in SENA countries and also equalled Kapil Dev's record of 12 five-wicket hauls for India in Tests played away from home. Bumrah now has 11 five-wicket hauls to his name in WTC, which is the joint-most by a bowler, and he also became the first Indian to take three five-wicket hauls in England. Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
Indian Express
40 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Hockey: Two-time Olympic medallist Lalit Kumar Upadhyay announces retirement from international hockey
Indian forward Lalit Kumar Upadhyay announced his retirement from international hockey on Sunday, bringing down the curtains on a career that lasted more than a decade and saw him be a part of two Olympic Games bronze medal-winning teams. 'This journey began in a small village, with limited resources but limitless dreams. From facing a sting operation to standing on the Olympic podium — not once, but twice — it's been a path full of challenges, growth, and unforgettable pride. Becoming an Olympian from my city after 26 years is something I'll always carry with honor and gratitude,' Lalit posted on his social media accounts. Lalith played in four matches of the eight that India played in Europe to close out their 2024-'25 Pro League season. The last match he played was against Australia in on 15 June. He has played 183 matches for India in senior international hockey, scoring 67 goals. The 31-year-old from Uttar Pradesh thanked various people who have played a part in his career. 'To my first coach Shri Parmanand Mishra, who introduced me to hockey and built my foundation. To Harender Sir, who gave me my first break by picking me in Air India. To Sameer Bhai and Dhanraj Sir, who mentored me with care and belief during that time. To BPCL, for offering me a job and giving me 8 meaningful years of work and growth. To my friends and teammates, who made the journey unforgettable. To Hockey India for giving me the opportunity to wear the national jersey. And to the state government, for honoring my journey by appointing me as a DSP — a responsibility I hold with pride.' But he reserved one final note of thanks to current India captain Harmanpreet Singh, saying, 'Hockey has given me everything, and you're one of its greatest gifts, brother.' For the talented boy from Varanasi, known for his dodging skills and creative stick-work on the field, the career almost ended before it even began. In 2008, he was used as a bait in a TV sting operation that led to erstwhile IHF being disbanded, and it also ruined Upadhyay's reputation as he was sidelined from the national programme. Lalit considered quitting hockey just at the age of 17 but kept at it and found his breakthroughs eventually. Dhanraj Pillay got him a contract with Air India in 2010, where he began picking up the pieces. Four years later, former India captain Tushar Khandker helped him get a job at BPCL and around the same time Lalit was picked for Kalinga Lancers in the Hockey India League as well. More recently, the forward who has scored some memorable goals through his career, has struggled for consistency and with younger forwards coming through the ranks, has decided to call time. One of those younger forwards, Abhishek, posted on Instagram: 'Your journey has been nothing short of inspiring, the dedication, passion, and humility you brought to the game will always be remembered. You've left behind a legacy that will continue to guide and motivate the next generation.'
India Today
41 minutes ago
- India Today
Jasprit Bumrah, the absolute champion: Legends in awe of pacer after Leeds heroics
India and England legends heaped praise on Jasprit Burmah after his stunning performance in the Leeds Test as he claimed another five-wicket haul. Bumrah ended with figures of five for 83 as he helped the visitors claim an important six-run lead. England looked to be closing in on overhauling the score posted by India after a fast start to the second session and a frustrating stand between Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse. However, Bumrah came in to clean up the tail and ensure India went into tea with the lead. advertisementThis was Bumrah's 14th career five-wicket haul, his 12th one outside India and emulated Kapil Dev. Speaking to the broadcasters, Sunil Gavaskar showered praise on Bumrah, saying that whenever the pacer has the ball in hand, it seems likes the batter is going to have a bit of a problem. ENG vs IND, 1st Test Day 3 updates"He's been sensational. If not for those drop catches, he might have had even seven or eight wickets to show against his efforts. He's been the difference when he's had the ball in his hand. Just about every delivery, it looks as if the batter is going to have a bit of a problem," said Gavaskar. Gavaskar said that he rates Bumrah amongst the very best bowlers in history and the greatest one in the current era. The Indian legend said that Bumrah has the knack to be lethal with the new ball as well as the old one. advertisement"I think he ranks amongst the very best. It's difficult to compare different eras, different pitches, different opposition. But you know in the modern era, without a question he's the greatest, he's the best, no question. Because it's not just the new ball, it's with the old ball also, he picks wickets, you see, that's the beauty of his bowling. A lot of bowlers are lethal when they have the new ball in their hands. That's not the case with Bumrah. Bumrah can come with the old ball, and with the old ball also he can also get the ball to move around both ways. He's got that slower yorker. He's got that bouncer," said Gavaskar. Former England captain Michael Vaughan said that the hosts were trying to survive the spell from Bumrah. Vaughan claimed that Bumrah bowls deliveries that a batter can't really be prepare for. "Every time Jasprit Bumrah had the ball in his hand, you just knew as an England side, they were just trying to survive. Yes, Harry Brooks was stepping down to hit him, but I think they were always trying to see him off, but he's just too good. He bowls balls that you can't really prepare for," said Vaughan. advertisementBumrah's workload management has been a big question, with India coach Gautam Gambhir hinting that the pacer may play only three Tests in the tour. Vaughan said that India should capitalise on the gametime Bumrah will get and secure wins in the matches the pacer will play. "Bumrah, I mean, if you play him 3 of the 5 games, I would say they're probably gonna have to win those 3 games. To win the series, you think when Bumrah is in the side, India have to capitalise," said Vaughan. 'Utterly outstanding'Mark Butcher, while speaking to Sky Sports, said that Bumrah was outstanding and is an absolute champion of the game. "Bumrah has been utterly outstanding. Irresistible fast bowling. He is an absolute champion," said Butcher. Stuart Broad praised Bumrah for his bowling and wondered if India missed a trick by holding him back. 'Bumrah has moved the ball more than anyone else, brought drama, bowled jaffas and deserves the fine applause he received from this crowd. But you do wonder whether he should have been brought into the attack earlier on," said Broad. Bumrah also went past Wasim Akram for the most wickets by an Asian bowler (150 wickets) in SENA countries. Must Watch
