Manchester Test: Gautam Gambhir takes the fall as Shubman Gill fumbles captaincy tactics

The England tour has come undone for India. Whatever slight hope for a victory emerged at Edgbaston seems to have been all but buried at Old Trafford. Three days of play in the fourth India vs England Test, and the hosts have not once let India have any say in the contest. Some games show that luck needs to favor a team for the win to follow, as witnessed in the Lord's Test. However, the Manchester Test has highlighted significant flaws in India's tactics. If India fails to pull a miracle from here, the ineffectiveness of the bowling attack and the questionable bowling rotation would be highlighted as the main failings of the side. So, who sits at the center of the fumble in Manchester, the young captain Shubman Gill or his seasoned guide, Gautam Gambhir, the head coach?

Gautam Gambhir responsible for Shubman Gill not using Washington Sundar correctly in the Manchester Test?

India's turn to bowl came on Day 2 of the Manchester Test, where the visitors arrived to defend their 358-run total. However, criticism of India's bowling attack has run parallel ever since. The new ball was handed to debutant Anshul Kamboj instead of Mohammed Siraj, the seasoned pick. Furthermore, the pace cordon kept missing the ideal line and lengths required to deliver early blows to England. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett piled up a 166-run opening stand as the English found their footing right at the beginning. The first breakthrough came when spinner Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Zak Crawley on 84.

Despite the much-needed respite provided by Jadeja, Shubman Gill has looked hesitant to fully use his spin attack. After the departure of the opening pair on Day 2, Joe Root and Ollie Pope knit another impactful partnership as the Indian bowling attack remained toothless on Day 3. Despite the pacers struggling to extract any movement on the pitch, which had mellowed down by then, Gill looked adamant about relying solely on his speedsters for a breakthrough.

The captain waited as many as 68 overs before introducing Washington Sundar into the attack at Old Trafford. Sundar's arrival brought two quick wickets for India. While Joe Root continued his record-breaking assault, Sundar claimed Pope at 71 before trapping Harry Brook at a meagre 3. However, despite the twin strikes, Sundar appeared as a part-time option in Gill's plans. By the end of Day 3, India had bowled 135 overs, and the spinner had bowled only 19 overs.

Shubman Gill has fallen under scrutiny for his questionable use of spinners in the Manchester Test. However, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has instead taken aim at India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir. Presenting another perspective on the matter, Manjrekar suggested that Gambhir, as the head coach, should be more proactive in such discussions. The Manchester Test is Gill's fourth fixture as India's Test captain, and the youngster could use Gambhir's insights for such calls, highlighted Manjrekar. A coach, however, can only suggest. It remains to be seen if Shubman Gill continues his adamant approach as the Test captain in India upcoming matches.

"Sorry, but even I don’t have the answer to that question. Not that I have been racking my brain as to why. The pure spinner. We are not 65 overs into the innings. What is the logic, and what is he in there for? If you needed any assurance, he picked up 4 wickets in the last match. This is a bizarre move, a move which is obviously not made. And I hold Gautam Gambhir responsible for it. And it’s not just the captain. He is obviously a young captain so he’s got that excuse and you’ve got to be forgiving of Shubman Gill. Surely the coach should have a say," Manjrekar said.

With Ben Stokes looking solid at one end, England has piled up a lead of 186 runs over the visitors. India needs to aim at dismissing the captain, who is experiencing some discomfort due to cramps. The guests still need to scalp three wickets before they turn to bat against the lead in Manchester. At stumps on Day 3, England were 544 for 7, with Stokes batting on 77 and Dawson at 21.