“We Haven’t Been the Sharpest” – Indian Legend Slams Shubman Gill’s Captaincy in ENG vs IND 5th Test 2025

The Indian team has had a roller-coaster series in England. The hosts won the first and third Tests, India won the second, and the fourth ended in a draw. Now, with the series level, England looks set to win the fifth and final Test. India are close to losing the series, and veteran spinner R. Ashwin says one big reason is poor captaincy from Shubman Gill. On his YouTube channel “Ash Ki Baat,” Ashwin didn’t hold back. He pointed out key mistakes India made, especially in how they used their bowlers.

Throughout the series, there have been many moments that stood out. Speaking on this, India legend Ravichandran Ashwin talked about the team’s lack of game awareness. Ashwin said that India has not been the sharpest in the series, but he believes Shubman Gill’s decision-making as captain will improve over time.

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Ashwin Points Out Lack of Game Awareness

Ashwin said that India have shown a lack of game awareness in this series, especially in tactical decisions on the field. “Coming back to the topic of spinners not being used, I feel there has been a lack of game awareness and, in many ways, our tactical thinking both on and off the field. This is the main reason why England are ahead in this series and India are behind. We haven’t been the sharpest,” he said.

He believes Shubman Gill will improve with time but added that missing key moments in a match is hurting the team. “Sometimes, if you feel you play spin well, you don’t bring in your own spinners at the right time. And when that happens, spinners become a defensive option instead of an attacking one,” Ashwin explained.

Ashwin gave a specific example from Day 4 of the final Test, when England batter Harry Brook was scoring freely. He said that was the moment to bring in Washington Sundar to slow the runs.  

“You could’ve had a spinner from one end and a fast bowler from the other. But we missed that chance,” he added.

He also said it’s not clear whether these calls are made on the field or come from the team management. “Making these mistakes is a huge gap. We don’t know whether the message is going from outside to the middle. We don’t know the dressing room talks. But in today’s day and age, these mistakes can definitely be avoided,” Ashwin said.

England in Control After Day 4

Ashwin’s comments came after India showed some fight on Day 4 but still allowed England to get close to victory. Joe Root and Harry Brook both scored centuries and stitched together a 195-run partnership, taking the game away from India. Brook smashed 111 off 98 balls, while Root made 105.

India did fight back after tea, with Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna taking wickets and slowing the scoring. The match was stopped due to bad light and rain, with England at 339/6, just 35 runs away from a record win.