Indian opener Gautam Gambhir who played a solid knock scoring 60 runs stressed on India’s inability to build partnerships, and the middle-order’s failure to come up with big runs, says a report in the Deccan Herald.
“You’ve got to stand up and deliver. It’s a good learning curve against quality opposition. You’re tested and thrown in the deep end. Except for Pujara none have been able to convert the starts. Someone like me and Sachin haven’t been able to convert the starts. We should have got big runs,” Gambhir said.
Most of the Indian players got start but failed to play a big innings, “After all you have to take responsibility rather than thinking ‘I’m only 7/10 Tests old. For me, when you are representing the country you have to deliver. This stage is not to learn, you have to deliver. We’ve got a quality side and these are early days,” Gambhir said.
Meanwhile, The Times of India reports that Gambhir said that Zaheer Khan will perform very well seeing the way James Anderson used the reverse swing.
"We have got Zaheer and Ishant who can reverse the ball really well. If they are on song, it's going to be difficult for England as well," said Gambhir.
"Zaheer Khan is a master of reverse swing. If he gets going I think it would be worrying for England. Hopefully, Zaheer and Ishant can do the job for us and play a big role for India. This is a wicket which will have something for everyone. It has carry, and sometimes the ball remains up and down," he added.
Gambhir praised Anderson for his persistence, “He didn't give loose deliveries. It was reversing and he was hiding the shine as well. It really gets difficult when someone hides the ball as you're not able to see the shine of the ball and don't know which way it would go. Ultimately you have to play the ball late,” he said.