India’s tailenders toiling away in nets, Shubman Gill ‘speaking to all of us’, says Prasidh Krishna after 1st Test debacle

Among the major factors that contributed in India losing the first Test against England at Headingley was a rather stunning late collapse in the second innings, with their last three batters all falling for ducks. This, coupled with the fact that they accounted for just a combined four runs in the first innings, put India's rather long tail under the spotlight. Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna has now said that the tailenders are now putting in the work with the bat in the nets.

"As the lower-order batsmen, we definitely are working on... If you look at our net sessions, we are putting in the work," Krishna told reporters on Saturday. "I think it is about putting your mind in there as well, making sure you trust yourself, trust the skill that you have and be there at the crease for a little longer. And then the numbers and the runs are going to show, and we are working towards it.

'Gill did a pretty good job'

India lost the series opener at Headingley by five wickets despite having five centurions, with two tons scored by Rishabh Pant alone, and a five-wicket haul for Jasprit Bumrah. New captain Shubman Gill's ability to establish his authority was brought up by a few commentators when it looked like KL Rahul and Pant were among senior players setting fields during the second half of the second session on Day 5. Krishna said that Gill did a very good job with rotating his bowlers and is in conversation with them.

"About Shubman, yeah, I think he did a pretty good job. All of us saw how he rotated the bowlers, made sure everybody had enough breaks, brought in people at the right kind of spells," IPL 'Purple Cap' winner Prasidh said. "He saw opportunities and brought in the right kind of bowlers. All of that was great. And knowing him, he set a very good atmosphere around. He's been speaking to all of us. We always go in with a plan and the communication is happening there," he added.

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