IND vs ENG: Sourav Ganguly’s Stern Warning to Shubman Gill – ‘India Won’t Get This Chance Again’
In a thrilling start to the five-match Test series between India and England at Headingley, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has issued a powerful message to captain Shubman Gill and the Indian team: seize the moment, as such opportunities come rare. With India in a commanding position after the first two days of the opening Test, Ganguly believes this is a golden chance for the visitors to stamp their authority.
India, opting to bat first after winning the toss, posted a mammoth total of 471 runs in their first innings. The foundation was laid by stunning centuries from young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), captain Shubman Gill (147), and the explosive Rishabh Pant (134). By the end of Day 1, India were already in a strong position at 359 for 3, and Ganguly was quick to highlight the potential for an even bigger score. ‘Nobody expected Headingley to be this dry. If India can push towards 600 runs, the pitch will start to break, creating uneven bounce. They must win this. They won’t get this opportunity again,’ Ganguly told PTI in an exclusive interview.
On Day 2, India added crucial runs before folding for 471, with England’s reply starting on a shaky note. Spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah, India’s pace attack struck early, with Bumrah claiming the prized scalp of Joe Root (28), caught at first slip. England ended the day at 209 for 3, still trailing by a massive 262 runs. Ollie Pope stood tall with a gritty century (100 off 131 balls, including 13 boundaries), while Harry Brook was yet to open his account at stumps. India’s dominance was evident, but Ganguly cautioned against complacency.
Commenting on team selection, Ganguly expressed mild surprise at the exclusion of Kuldeep Yadav and Arshdeep Singh from the playing XI. ‘Kuldeep will get his chance as the series progresses. It’s a long tour. Personally, I would have played Arshdeep for his unique left-arm angle, but the current lineup is strong,’ he remarked. He also emphasized the importance of Ravindra Jadeja stepping up with the ball, given his relatively modest record in overseas conditions. ‘Jadeja needs to bowl well. Away from home, he often struggles, but this is his chance to prove a point,’ Ganguly added.
England’s bowling, led by Chris Woakes and featuring debutants Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue alongside captain Ben Stokes, lacked bite at times. Ganguly pointed out their tactical errors, particularly against Shubman Gill. ‘They bowled too short. Halfway through Day 1, it was all bouncers to Gill, who handled them brilliantly. They’ll learn, though. It’s just the first Test,’ he noted. This new-look England attack, missing veterans like James Anderson and Stuart Broad, struggled to break through India’s top order on a surprisingly docile Headingley surface.
As for predictions, Ganguly refrained from forecasting the series outcome just yet. When asked about a potential 3-1 series win for India, he responded with caution: ‘It’s too early to say. Let’s see how the next few days unfold.’ With India holding a significant lead and their bowlers firing on all cylinders, the stage is set for an enthralling battle over the remaining days.
Can Shubman Gill and his men heed Ganguly’s advice and drive home their advantage? As the IND vs ENG 1st Test heads into Day 3, all eyes will be on whether India can tighten the screws further and whether England’s middle order, led by the resilient Ollie Pope, can stage a comeback. Stay tuned for updates on this captivating contest!