In the wake of the five-wicket loss to England in the opening Test at Headingley, former India head coach Ravi Shastri did not mince words, telling Gautam Gambhir to be firm in the locker room. Shastri advised Gambhir to tackle the team's issues head-on and hold people accountable for repeated mistakes, even "tick off" players if necessary, while speaking with Sky Sports Cricket.

India's fielding errors were obvious; Yashasvi Jaiswal alone missed four catches during the game, and the team missed five catches in England's first innings. Many of them were crucial turning points when English batters were able to regain control and shift the momentum. But there were still other issues. Even with outstanding top-order performances in both innings, India's lower-middle order fell twice, giving England the opportunity to rally and ultimately win the game.

The absence of intensity at crucial moments, especially on the pitch, just made things worse and prompted demands for a "hard" dressing room treatment.

"I think the coaching staff plays a significant role," Shastri remarked.

"Focus on the positive aspects of the competition. He has performed beyond what is expected of a captain, according to Shubman Gill. There were five hundred scored throughout the game, and he received one. If anything, you want the fundamentals to be executed more effectively. Things are beyond his control.

It is not in his power to prevent drops. There is where the team as a unit may improve and work more effectively. In the same way, you must value your wicket when you approach the plate. You cannot simply be shy and mild in a scenario where you might make between 550 and 600.

“As a coach, you sometimes have to be tough in these areas, especially in that locker room. There are a few areas where you can tick off a few men. However, this Test had many positives,” Shastri said.

Chances that were lost

The opener went on to take advantage of the missed opportunity by smashing a brilliant 149 that brought England closer to victory after Jaiswal dropped the in-form Ben Duckett just before his century mark on Day 5. In addition, throughout the day, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant also missed several chances to dismiss Ben Stokes and Joe Root off Ravindra Jadeja's balls.

Read Also: India Sink to Historic Test Cricket Low — A First in Nearly 150 Years

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!