India鈥檚 defeat in the opening Test against England at Headingley has triggered sharp criticism, with former cricketer Murali Karthik issuing a grim warning about a possible leadership crisis within the team. In a strongly worded analysis, Karthik suggested that India lost control of the match because there were 鈥渢hree captains鈥 trying to lead simultaneously on the final day 鈥 Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul.
While England鈥檚 Ben Stokes has often leaned on trusted lieutenants like Joe Root and Ollie Pope, one being a former captain and the other a current vice-captain, his authority on the field remains unquestioned. But in India鈥檚 case, says Karthik, the dynamic seemed chaotic.
Karthik, a former left-arm spinner, pointed to what he called a 鈥渧isible power imbalance鈥 on the fifth day. 鈥淭here were moments when Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul were setting the field while Shubman Gill was right there; it looked like three people were captaining at once,鈥 he told a cricket website.
He also said that it was okay for senior players to suggest minor adjustments now and then, but what India saw went far beyond that, and those are not healthy signs for any team.
Karthik cited Australia as a contrasting example, where Steve Smith, despite being a former captain, doesn鈥檛 overshadow current skipper Pat Cummins. 鈥淵ou might see Smith adjusting a fielder here or there, but no one doubts who鈥檚 in charge. That clarity was missing from India,鈥 he said.
The ex-cricketer didn鈥檛 mince words about Gill鈥檚 on-field demeanor either. He claimed India鈥檚 young skipper seemed overwhelmed and reactive rather than strategic. 鈥淗e was chasing the ball鈥 he鈥檇 move fielders only after boundaries were hit. That鈥檚 not proactive captaincy,鈥 Karthik observed.
India鈥檚 bowling and fielding also came under fire. According to Karthik, the team looked completely out of ideas during the crucial first session of Day 5. England鈥檚 openers looked in total control. Even though a catch was dropped, the match had already slipped away by then, he added.