India, June 25 -- Shubman Gill's defensive captaincy on Day 5 of the India vs England first Test came under the scanner as England pulled off their second-highest run chase to get off to a winning start in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Gill, in his first match as India's Test captain, was blamed for being too defensive and following the ball as England chased down 371 with five wickets in the bank.

"Most people felt Shubman Gill went too defensive. But I think he was trying to trap England by cutting off boundaries, hoping the wickets would come eventually," said former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar on JioHotstar.

Gill started Day 5 under overcast conditions with too many boundary riders, which Manjrekar believed someone like Virat ...