Former India coach Ravi Shastri is asking for some patience from the team, along with smart bowling changes and aggressive field setups after India went without taking a wicket on the last morning of the first Test against England at Headingley. Shastri noticed that India bowled better than the day before but stressed that they need to stay focused as Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley batted through the session, helping England reach 117/0 in their chase of 371 runs. Both batsmen scored over 50 runs.
India needs someone to step up like Kohli used to. There should be a designated player for that role. Kohli could handle it for more than one person,” Shastri pointed out. He also advised Indian captain Shubman Gill to keep his field placements straightforward and take a more aggressive approach. India bowled better today, but they must remain patient, he told Sky Sports during the lunch break. He noted that the ball didn’t seam or swing as much as they hoped, although the bounce was inconsistent.
With England at 117 without losing a wicket at lunch, chasing a steep target, Shastri suggested rethinking their bowling strategy. I’d like to see Jadeja bowl for a longer stretch with the three seamers rotating from one end, he said. He commented on the field placements, saying Gill sometimes reacted too much to the ball. You need to be clear about your mindset and fielders should be positioned to catch.
Shastri emphasized that taking wickets is crucial for India to win. Once you get a couple of wickets, the game can change quickly and the pressure shifts to the other side. On the field, India was frustrated as Duckett (64) and Crawley (42) extended their overnight partnership, becoming the first English opening pair to pass 2,000 runs together in Test cricket since Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss.
The Indian bowlers, especially Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, worked hard in the tougher conditions under floodlights, but they were missing that finishing touch. Duckett was impressive, hitting his half-century off just 66 balls, combining caution with some stylish shots. Crawley played steadily, surviving two close calls—an lbw review from Siraj and a return catch dropped by Bumrah, which was India’s biggest chance of the session.
Though rain was predicted, the weather stayed clear, and play continued without interruptions. As lunch was announced, the match remained poised with England needing 254 runs in 66 overs, while India was still searching for their first wicket.