Character and courage shown by the lower order was tremendous - Gill

By Admin

15 Jul, 2025

In a gripping Test match at Lord's that kept fans on edge until the final session, India fell agonisingly short by just 22 runs, but the resilience and spirit shown by the lower order left a lasting impression. India captain Shubman Gill lauded his team's grit, particularly highlighting the character and courage of the tailenders who almost pulled off a remarkable chase.

The odds were stacked against India after a disastrous opening session on the final day left them reeling at 82 for 7, still needing 111 runs to win. What followed, however, was an exhibition of grit and fight. Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja stood tall amidst the chaos, stitching crucial partnerships of 30, 35, and 23 with Nitish Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj respectively, breathing life back into the contest.

Gill was full of praise for Jadeja’s composure and versatility:
"He is one of the most valuable players in India. The experience and skill set he brings   be it with the bat, ball, or in the field   is rare. The way he batted with the tail, the composure he showed, it was tremendous to watch."

Jadeja’s half-century, his fourth consecutive in the series, accounted for 61 of India’s 99 runs during his stay, spanning 30 of the 55 overs bowled on the day   a testament to his endurance and temperament under pressure.

Gill acknowledged the disappointment of letting the match slip earlier in the innings. After losing Yashasvi Jaiswal early, a promising phase led by KL Rahul and Karun Nair was undone by a late collapse on Day 4. India went from 41 for 1 to 58 for 4 in a dramatic half-hour spell before stumps. That trend continued into Day 5, with key wickets   Pant, Rahul, Sundar, and Reddy   falling in quick succession.

Reflecting on the collapse, Gill admitted:
"I think if we had one or two 50-run partnerships at the top, the chase would have been much easier after 30-40 overs. We believed 192 was still chaseable, but we couldn't capitalise on crucial moments."

Despite the disappointment, Gill emphasized how proud he was of the team's effort and how small moments can define entire matches.
"Even now, we feel we lost by 20 runs. If we had one more partnership of 10 runs, the pressure would have shifted to the other side. These are the margins that decide the result."

The match also featured intense on-field banter, with sledging and strategic gamesmanship from both sides. However, Gill brushed it off, stating:
"You are giving everything   mentally, physically. Sometimes there’s heat, but that’s what makes it exciting. At the end of the day, there is mutual admiration between the teams."

The series currently stands at 1-2, with two Tests to go. While India has dominated many sessions, Gill pointed out that the few poor sessions cost them dearly:
"We’ve probably won more days overall, but the bad sessions were too costly. We need to find a way to manage collapses better and convert four-wicket sessions into two."

In defeat, India discovered a backbone of steel in their lower order. Their courage at Lord's didn’t just narrow the margin of defeat   it sent a clear message of the team’s fighting spirit. As the series moves forward, these hard-earned lessons and fierce displays of character could well turn the tide in India's favour.