India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, faced tough questions following the team’s loss to England in the opening Test of their series. The defeat sparked discussions about the team’s under-performance, particularly the lack of contributions from the lower-order players. Gambhir, however, chose to defend his team’s efforts and refused to blame any individual or group for the loss.

In the post-match press conference, Gambhir expressed confidence in his team, stating that the tail-enders’ poor performance—who collectively contributed only 9 runs in both innings was just a part of the game. He emphasized that failure happens, even to the best of players. "It's not that they were not applying themselves. Sometimes, people fail, and that's okay," Gambhir remarked, acknowledging that the team, especially the tail-enders, were disappointed with their performance.

Gambhir went on to explain that the failure of the tail-end players was not the sole reason for the defeat. “We lose together, we win together,” he firmly stated, stressing that other moments in the game also played a role in the team’s defeat. He urged reporters not to put the blame solely on the tail-enders, as the game’s outcome was shaped by various factors.

On Shardul Thakur's performance, which included only 2 wickets in the match, Gambhir clarified that Thakur was not brought into the team as a specialist bowler but as a bowling all-rounder. He highlighted that Thakur played a crucial role by taking two important wickets, which brought India back into the game. Gambhir mentioned that the team's bowling attack was well-rounded, with Ravindra Jadeja’s performance providing crucial control in the match.

When asked about the debut captaincy of Shubman Gill, Gambhir stood by the young skipper, saying that despite the loss, Gill showed great potential. "It’s a great honour, and he was phenomenal. More importantly, I think the way he batted in the first innings speaks volumes," Gambhir said, acknowledging that leadership at this level comes with its challenges. Gambhir added that it's still early days for Gill, and he has the necessary attributes to become a successful captain, urging everyone to give him time to settle into the role.

In conclusion, Gambhir’s response to the defeat reflected a sense of unity within the team. He emphasized that setbacks are a part of cricket, but it is important to learn from them and stay together as a team. Gambhir’s words offer reassurance to fans, while also encouraging the players to continue improving and fighting back in the upcoming matches.