Former India Selector Blasts Fielding Blunders After Test Defeat: "Simple Catches Cost Us"

Kiran More Criticizes India's Fielding After First Test Loss to England

Former Indian selector Kiran More has called for patience with the Indian Test team, pinpointing fielding errors as a key factor in their recent five-wicket defeat to England at Headingley.

"We played very well for four days," More told IANS. "I think the mistake came on the last day when England played outstanding cricket. Fielding was where we slipped. Those were simple catches — no one drops those — and that made the difference."

England successfully chased down a target of 371 runs on the final day, taking a 1-0 lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Ben Duckett's impressive 149, along with Joe Root's unbeaten 53 and Jamie Smith's 44 not out, guided England to victory. This chase was England's second-highest successful chase in history and their highest ever against India.

"In the first two days, we were really good, and I felt we could've added another 100–150 runs to our total. If we had scored 450 in the first innings, things might've been different. In the second innings, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul did well. But again, we collapsed at key moments."

India's first innings saw centuries from Shubman Gill (147), Rishabh Pant (134), and Yashasvi Jaiswal (101), contributing to a total of 471. However, they then lost seven wickets for only 41 runs. England responded with 465, with significant scores from Duckett (62), Ollie Pope (106), and Brook (99), the last five wickets contributing 189 runs.

In the second innings, India were in a strong position at 333/4, fueled by a 195-run partnership between Pant (118) and K.L. Rahul (137). However, they then lost six wickets for just 31 runs, eventually being dismissed for 364 and setting England a target of 371.

"We've got a good, balanced team, but this team is still in transition. I think we need to give them time — a year or so — to settle, find the right combination, and grow into a strong unit. We've scored over 750 runs across both innings, so the batting is there. But we can't keep depending on Bumrah. He needs support — especially from the spinners."

Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless in the second innings despite his efforts. Prasidh Krishna's performance was expensive, and several dropped catches, especially of Harry Brook, proved detrimental to India's chances.

"We've seen it before — from Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin, to Kohli and Rohit. Now it's time for new faces to step up. They need time and support. If we keep playing like this and keep making the same mistakes, we won't improve. But give this group time, and we'll have a good team."

The successful chase at Headingley was the third time a target over 350 has been achieved at the venue. This match was also only the third in Test history where all four innings exceeded 350 runs.