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The India-England Test match at Lord's concluded with a narrow victory for England, but the Indian captain, Shubman Gill, focused on the positive aspects of his team's performance, particularly the resilience shown by the lower order batsmen. Despite a disastrous start to the final day, which saw India slump to a precarious position, the lower order, led by Ravindra Jadeja, displayed remarkable courage and determination to bring India within touching distance of a remarkable victory. Gill acknowledged that the team ultimately fell short by 22 runs, but he emphasized the pride he felt in the team's overall effort and the character they demonstrated under pressure. The Indian innings was resurrected by a series of crucial partnerships forged by Jadeja with Nitish Reddy, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj. These partnerships not only added valuable runs to the scoreboard but also consumed valuable overs, putting pressure back on the English bowlers and fielders. Gill specifically lauded Jadeja's contribution, highlighting his fourth consecutive half-century of the series and his ability to control the innings while batting with the tailenders. Jadeja's composure and experience were instrumental in guiding the lower order and keeping India's hopes alive until the very end. Gill described Jadeja as one of the most valuable players in the Indian team, emphasizing his rare skill set that encompasses exceptional bowling, batting, and fielding abilities. The Indian captain also pointed out that the team had specifically addressed the need for greater contributions from the lower order in the previous matches, and he was delighted to see them step up and deliver in this crucial Test. The lower order's performance not only showcased their batting prowess but also their mental fortitude, as they refused to succumb to the pressure of the situation and instead embraced the challenge. The Indian team's fightback from a seemingly hopeless position demonstrated their depth and resilience, and it provided a glimmer of hope for the remaining matches in the series. Gill acknowledged that the team was left to rue missed opportunities with the bat from the final two days of play, which ultimately made the chase of 192 runs a monumental task. The early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal to an ill-advised shot put the Indian innings on the back foot, and the subsequent collapse towards the end of the fourth day further compounded their problems. The fall of Karun Nair, Gill himself, and nightwatchman Akash Deep in a dramatic half-hour before the close of play left India reeling. The Indian batsmen struggled to stem the collapse on the final morning, losing Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Washington Sundar in quick succession. The dismissal of Nitish Reddy towards the end of the session left India tottering and facing an uphill battle. Gill emphasized the importance of partnerships in Test cricket, stating that if the top order had managed to forge even one or two partnerships worth 50 runs, the batting conditions would have become easier after 30-40 overs. He acknowledged that the Indian team had not performed as well as they had in the previous matches of the series, but he also recognized that such setbacks are inevitable in cricket. Despite the challenges, Gill maintained that the team believed that 192 runs were still chaseable on the final day. The plan was to play 20-25 overs well and aim for a 50-run partnership or two. The deeper the match went, the easier it would have become for the batsmen. Gill also downplayed any tensions between the two teams, despite the constant sledging and the apparent pressure exerted by the English coach on his players. He acknowledged that the intensity of the game can lead to moments of heated exchanges, but he also emphasized the underlying respect and admiration that exists between the two teams. Gill explained that both teams are giving their all, both mentally and physically, and that the desire to win can sometimes lead to a little bit of heat. However, he believes that this is what makes the game so exciting and challenging. At the end of the day, Gill stated that there is a lot of admiration within the two teams, and both teams are trying their best to win the match and perform well. He acknowledged that there can be moments where there would be some kind of heat, as players are in the moment and trying everything to help their team win. Gill concluded by expressing his belief that the series scoreline of 1-2 with two games to go was a tough pill to swallow, given how India has dominated large swathes of the three Tests so far. He felt that India may have won more days than England, but the sessions that did not go well have gone very badly. He stressed the importance of finding a balance and improving the team's ability to respond when things are not going according to plan. Gill highlighted the importance of minimizing the damage when the batting is collapsing, and he emphasized the need to turn a four-wicket session into a two-wicket session. He acknowledged that these small margins are very important in any series. Despite the defeat, Gill reiterated that the match was very close, and he felt that if there had been a partnership of just 10 more runs, the pressure would have shifted to the other team. He emphasized the numerous small moments that could have been done better throughout the five days of play. However, as a whole, Gill stated that he was very proud of the effort that the team put in.
Source: Character and courage shown by the lower order was tremendous - Gill