Shubman Gill Needs 'Attitude Adjustment' to Fix India's Fielding Woes, Warns Aussie Legend Haddin Ahead of Edgbaston Test

Haddin Urges Shubman Gill to Adjust Attitude Ahead of Edgbaston Test

India captain Shubman Gill (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Former Australian wicketkeeper-batter Brad Haddin has called on India's new Test captain, Shubman Gill, to make a crucial "attitude adjustment" following India's recent five-wicket defeat to England in the opening Test match of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy 2025 at Headingley.

The loss, despite India showcasing five centurions throughout the match, has been largely attributed to a dismal fielding performance. The team's eight dropped catches across both innings significantly contributed to England successfully chasing down a target of 371 runs.

India's fielding errors proved particularly costly concerning England opener Ben Duckett. He was dropped in both innings, subsequently scoring 211 runs, including a match-winning 149 in the fourth innings. Duckett's stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match award and propelled England to a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

"Every great team, regardless of the era, possesses exceptional fielding prowess. I believe that this is one legacy Gill must now instill within this team. He needs an attitude adjustment," Haddin stated on the Willow Talk podcast.

The former Australian keeper also highlighted potential issues stemming from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, suggesting a correlation between the tournament and the declining fielding standards.

"If you aspire to field well and maintain consistent competitiveness, it boils down to attitude. You can engage in extensive technical work off the field and employ numerous coaches, but it ultimately won't suffice. Even in the IPL this year, the catching was appalling. This could be a consequence," Haddin added.

The Indian team's lackluster fielding overshadowed their commendable batting display, where they posted competitive totals in both innings. The pace attack, despite the presence of spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, struggled to make a significant impact, further compounded by the dropped catches.

Team India is currently preparing for the second Test match, scheduled to take place at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham from July 2-6, 2025. The team must urgently address their fielding concerns to level the series.

England has announced their squad for the second Test, with Ben Stokes continuing as captain. The squad features key players such as Jofra Archer, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, and Chris Woakes, all eager to build upon their advantage in the series.