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Despite Yashasvi Jaiswal's century in the Leeds Test, his fielding woes became a talking point after dropping four catches, a first for an Indian in a Test innings. An old video of him missing catches in a previous match resurfaced. However, coach Gautam Gambhir and Jasprit Bumrah defended Jaiswal, citing difficult conditions.

In a surprising move, Shardul Thakur was selected for the first Test against England, despite head coach Gautam Gambhir's previous inclination towards younger players like Nitish Kumar Reddy. With a new captain and the retirement of key players, Team India enters a new era. Thakur's inclusion, possibly influenced by his past success in England, signals a pragmatic shift in selection strategy.