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The opening Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at Headingley has lived up to its billing, delivering a gripping contest that sees India hold a precarious six-run lead over England after both teams’ first innings. While the cricketing world lauded Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar performance on Day 3, the day’s true narrative was shaped by India’s uncharacteristic and costly lapses in the field, a point subtly but sharply highlighted by batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar.
Jasprit Bumrah’s five-for amidst missed opportunities
Bumrah, India’s pace spearhead, once again demonstrated why he is considered one of the sport’s most formidable bowlers. His magnificent five-wicket haul (5/83 in 24.4 overs) was the backbone of India’s bowling effort, playing an instrumental role in finally bundling out England for 465. This exceptional display ensured the visitors secured a slender six-run advantage, keeping the Test finely poised and India firmly in the hunt despite a robust English batting response.
However, the narrowness of this lead serves as a stark reminder of what could have been. The margin of India’s first-innings advantage could have been significantly wider had it not been for a series of glaring errors in the field. India’s usually sharp fielding unit endured a torrid session, dropping as many as six catches throughout England’s innings. Shockingly, four of these crucial opportunities came directly off Bumrah’s bowling, equalling an unwanted record for the most missed chances off a single Indian bowler in a Test innings.
The primary culprit in India’s fielding woes was young Yashasvi Jaiswal. Typically reliable and agile, Jaiswal experienced a day to forget, putting down three clear chances that allowed England’s batters to breathe easy. Seasoned campaigners Ravindra Jadeja and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant also contributed to the tally of missed opportunities, with their lapses proving equally detrimental to India’s efforts to seize control of the game. Each dropped catch chipped away at India’s momentum, providing England with lifelines they gratefully exploited.
The consequences of these fielding blunders were painfully evident. England’s batters, particularly Harry Brook and Ollie Pope, capitalized with ruthless efficiency on their reprieves. Brook, who was dropped twice—first on a relatively comfortable 46 and then again on a commanding 82—went on to smash a flamboyant 99, falling just shy of a well-deserved century. Similarly, Pope’s earlier let-off proved equally expensive for India, as he rode his luck to compile a crucial century, extending England’s stay at the crease and frustrating the Indian bowlers.
Sachin Tendulkar’s subtle critique
It was against this backdrop of both individual brilliance and collective sloppiness that Tendulkar delivered his subtle critique. Taking to social media platform X after the day’s play, the ‘Master Blaster’ was quick to congratulate Bumrah on his outstanding performance. Yet, he didn’t shy away from highlighting the glaring deficiencies. “Congratulations Bumrah! A no-ball and 3 missed chances stood between you and nau (nine) wickets,” Tendulkar posted, a poignant remark that cleverly underscored the almost historic haul Bumrah was denied due to the fielding lapses and one marginal no-ball call.
Congratulations Bumrah!
A no-ball and 3 missed chances stood between you and 𝙣𝙖𝙪 wickets. 🤪 pic.twitter.com/09rJNI9KP0— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 22, 2025
Tendulkar’s remarks resonated deeply with cricket fans and pundits alike, echoing the widespread sentiment of frustration and disappointment. Many watched in dismay as the English lower order, spearheaded by Chris Woakes, capitalized on these mounting missed opportunities. Their valuable contributions after earlier reprieves ensured that the contest remained finely balanced, negating much of the hard-fought advantage that India’s bowlers, especially Bumrah, had earned.
As the Test progresses, India will undoubtedly need to tighten its fielding considerably. In such a closely contested series opener, every run saved and every catch held will prove critical. While Bumrah’s heroics have kept India in the game, the fielding lapses serve as a stark reminder that even individual brilliance can be undermined by collective errors, emphasizing the old adage that “catches win matches.”
Also READ: ENG vs IND – Jasprit Bumrah opens up on dropped catches off his bowling in the Headingley Test
