Shubman Gill will never forget this Test. However, this is also a game he would like to put behind him as soon as possible.

In his debut match as India's newest Test captain, the Punjab right-hander went through the proverbial baptism by fire. There was plenty to enjoy, including a hundred from his first term in his new form. However, there was also severe disillusionment since his squad squandered several advantageous situations and managed to lose a game that they ought to have easily won with more effort and resolve.

Regardless of the level, leading any team presents its own set of difficulties. There is no higher honor than leading one's nation, as anyone may see without having to carry out that duty. In India, it is said that captaining the national squad is the second most difficult job because of the public attention and scrutiny, as well as the fact that everyone and their cousin has their own opinion on the game.

The majority of requirements were met by Gill, the batter captain. He had stated unequivocally prior to the game that his role as captain only starts when his side is on the field. On the first day at Headingley, right after lunch, it was his turn to bat, and he kept his promise. Although the two wickets had fallen for the addition of only one run, Gill entered a good platform with a score of 92 for two, thanks to Ben Stokes' setup.

His performance outside of Asia has not been the most promising over the past four and a half years, but no one would have guessed it from seeing him bat. His timing was subconscious, his feet moved with complete confidence, and his defense was flawless. The long hours at the nets were clearly paying off; Gill is one of the hardest workers in practice, leaving nothing to chance and making sure he is at peace with the state of his game before leaving the training facility. His first Test knock at No. 4 must have been especially gratifying because every leader worth his salt enjoys nothing more than leading by example, so they don't have to tell their followers what they themselves haven't accomplished.

The park was always going to be the location of Gill's more thorough investigation. Even though batting is a reactive activity, he could still determine his own fate with the bat. Because bad fielding is just the product of avoidable mistakes, he needed his fielders to throw themselves completely into saving runs and creating half-chances, his catchers to hold onto the possibilities, and his bowlers to deliver on the field. During their amazing five-wicket victory, India missed four easy catches and a half-chance in the two English innings that even more athletic bowlers than Jasprit Bumrah would have had trouble holding onto on their follow-through. His fielders and catchers let him down. Additionally, the English team, which had become skilled at taking advantage of crucial opportunities, immediately penalized the numerous mistakes made.

There were many things lacking in Shubman Gill's performance on the pitch.

Prior to the game, there were several discussions regarding how Gill would position his bowlers, what fields he would place them on, and how he would respond to England's aggressive batting strategy. Although one Test is insufficient data to draw any conclusions, it is evident that Gill, the fielding captain, has a lot of work to do.

Gill's management of Shardul Thakur's bowling in the first innings—the "bowling all-rounder" bowled only six deliveries out of 100.4—has drawn some flak, but this must be seen in the context of the control that Ravindra Jadeja's left-arm spin provided when every other batter except Bumrah was being cleaned up. Although somewhat predictable, his bowling modifications were, for the most part, perfect, but his fields left a lot to be desired.

Gill's attempt to fill a gap after a shot had gone there was evidence of a clear inclination to ball-chase, especially during the opening innings. His fielders' placement was very exact and specific, and he became somewhat fixated on it considering that he shifted his pieces around every other ball, even if it was just by an inch or three. He did well to welcome feedback from the more seasoned team members before making the ultimate choice; after all, the captain is responsible.

The head coach, Gautam Gambhir, seemed to like what he saw of his captain. "He has everything it takes to be a successful captain," Gambhir, who led the nation on occasion during his career, said. "But we have got to give him time, it's still very early days. These are challenging places to captain; it's like throwing someone into the ocean. It will be interesting and exciting to see how Gill navigates the turbulent seas after a shaky beginning.

Read Also: Porzingis Exit Saves Celtics $180M, Niang Joins the Squad — What’s Coming Next?

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!