'I would have...': Sourav Ganguly questions Gautam Gambhir¡¯s selection strategy; cautions Shubman Gill after India¡¯s Collapse for 471
Sourav Ganguly called out Gautam Gambhir¡¯s selection choices after the India vs England clash. He also cautioned Shubman Gill after India collapsed to 471 all out in the first Test against England, losing seven wickets for just 41 runs.
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
¡ª ICC (@ICC) June 21, 2025
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"
Credit: X | @rehnedotum_
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.
¡ª Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 22, 2025
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.
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