Former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs took a dig at the Indian cricket team following their narrow 22-run defeat against England in the third Test match at Lord’s. India, chasing a modest target of 193 runs, faltered due to a disappointing top-order collapse. Although Ravindra Jadeja stood firm with a determined half-century, his efforts were not enough to guide India to a win. Gibbs, sharing his views on X (formerly Twitter), targeted the Indian team’s batting approach, especially in the final session. “Came close in the end but lack of intent cost India the game,” he posted.
His remarks sparked a debate among fans, many assuming he was referring to Jadeja, who played a relatively slow knock. However, Gibbs clarified that his criticism was aimed at pacer Jasprit Bumrah. “Bumrah has the most runs in an over for a batsman in test cricket.. .. where was that intent today?” he added, referencing Bumrah’s historic 35-run over off Stuart Broad in a previous match, suggesting he expected a more aggressive approach from the lower order during the final overs of this game.
Shubman Gill Reflects on the Defeat and Team’s Effort
Shubman Gill, leading the Indian side in the Test series, showed disappointment but remained proud of his team’s efforts after the close finish. He admitted that while India came agonizingly close to the target, they fell short due to missed opportunities earlier in the innings. Despite the heartbreak, Gill praised the resilience of his players, especially those who batted in tough situations.
Speaking at the post-match presentation, he said the team could have done better in building partnerships at the top. According to Gill, a couple of stable stands of 50 or more could have changed the outcome in India’s favor. He emphasized that the team was confident in chasing the total, and the fighting spirit shown in the final session was commendable. The young captain also underlined that improvements in batting application would be essential in the upcoming matches.
A Heartbreaking Collapse Despite Late Fightback
India’s loss was especially painful considering the comeback they almost managed after being reduced to 82/7. Ravindra Jadeja’s patient half-century kept India in the hunt, and the late efforts from tailenders Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj added some drama to the chase. However, the lack of early contributions from the top order proved too costly. England’s disciplined bowling and tight fielding eventually sealed the match in their favor, giving them a 2-1 lead in the five-match Test series.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
