Team India suffered a disappointing 5-wicket defeat to England in the 1st Test at Leeds, and the reasons behind it were clear: sudden batting collapses, poor fielding, and a lack of sharpness in their bowling.Team India’s Batting CollapsesIndia had strong individual performances with the bat – Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul all scored centuries. But even after posting big totals (471 in the first innings and 364 in the second), India couldn’t maintain control. The batting lineup fell apart quickly in both innings. In the first, India lost 7 wickets for just 41 runs, and in the second, 6 wickets for 31 runs. These collapses meant India couldn’t build the kind of lead they needed to stay ahead.Several Dropped CatchesIn the field, India dropped several easy catches. Key moments were missed, especially when Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, and Ben Duckett were given lifelines. Yashasvi Jaiswal, in particular, dropped 4 catches over the course of the match. Those dropped catches turned costly, as England’s batters made full use of the second chances.A Lacklustre Bowling AttackBowling was another area where India fell short. Jasprit Bumrah bowled well and picked up five wickets in the first innings, but the rest of the bowling attack didn’t offer enough support. Prasidh Krishna gave away too many runs, and the spinners couldn’t create any pressure. On the final day, England chased down 371 runs with ease. Ben Duckett smashed 149, and Joe Root and Jamie Smith calmly finished the job. India’s bowlers looked tired and lacked any real plan to stop the flow of runs.In the end, it was a match India could have won, but dropped catches, sudden collapses, and an average bowling effort let it slip away. If India wants to bounce back in the series, they’ll need to improve in all three departments: batting, fielding, and bowling.Ravindra Jadeja’s Cheeky Fist Pump To Umpire After Ball Change Steals Spotlight During ENG Vs IND 1st Test Match; VideoIn a light-hearted moment during the tense final day of the 1st Test between India and England at Leeds, Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja gave fans a hilarious highlight that had nothing to do with wickets, but everything to do with his playful personality.Despite not taking any wickets in England’s second innings so far, Jadeja was full of energy in the field. During the 27th over, Indian players, including captain Shubman Gill and vice-captain Rishabh Pant, approached the umpires with concerns about the condition of the Duke ball, which had noticeably softened. After multiple appeals and a thorough check, the umpires finally agreed to change the ball.What happened next brought a smile to everyone’s face. As umpire Chris Gaffaney confirmed the ball switch, Jadeja turned toward him with a mischievous look and gave a subtle fist pump, as if celebrating a small victory. He also appeared to cheekily “sledge” the umpire in a fun, animated way that had viewers and commentators chuckling.The incident quickly went viral on social media, with fans praising Jadeja’s sense of humor and his ability to keep things light even during high-pressure moments. Known for his sharp fielding and vibrant character, Jadeja once again showed why he’s such a fan favorite.
