Head coach Gautam Gambhir faced a barrage of questions at the post-match press conference following India’s chastening five-wicket loss to England in the opening Test at Headingley. With new skipper Shubman Gill leading a transitional Indian team, Gambhir's defence leaned heavily on patience and perspective, with phrases like 'early days' and 'give them time' in place to deflect scrutiny from both the inexperienced leadership and a misfiring lower order.

This defeat, despite five individual centuries, a Test record, has led to deeper concerns, many of which had already been simmering when the playing XI was announced last Friday. With no Mohammed Shami (out with a knee injury), Jasprit Bumrah’s limited impact in the second innings (with his overall workload in mind), and an underwhelming bowling attack, how India are going to take the 20 wickets needed to win a Test remains an open question.