The last day opened with high expectation in India, defending a strong target of 371 runs on a deteriorating Leeds pitch. But what ensued was a resolutely controlled display of opening batting from Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who nullified the threat of Jasprit Bumrah and company with aplomb and assurance. The pair charged to a century partnership within 25 overs, batting at more than four an over, and taking away from India even a whiff of a chance at a breakthrough. As England walked past 100 without losing a wicket, the pressure clearly began to mount on debutant skipper Shubman Gill. At Lunch, England required only 254 runs more with all wickets in hand, well on course for a record chase. Watch reactions: Very very poor captaincy from Shubman Gill just like 1st inning, he allowed opposition to score 460+ in 1st inning when conditions were overcast.And now when England is chasing big 371, still Gill is playing with cery defensive field. Virat would be hating all this at home. — Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) June 24, 2025 Session is coming close to the end Crawley and Duckett are still there and smashing Indian bowlers. Neither the change in bowling, field placements nor shouting from the fielders has worked for India. — Sports syncs (@moiz_sports) June 24, 2025 What’s frustrating is that I don’t feel confident watching this bowling attack. Earlier, even if the situation looked bad, I’d still think India had a shot. But not with this current setup. Baki jaisa Gill bol rha “Ek side Mohammad dusre side Krishna” wahi bachaye inhe ab 🙂‍↕️ — Jahazi (@Oye_Jahazi) June 24, 2025 Just began watching the cricket Terrible bowling by India, wrong lines and lengths, not even bowling to the field 😲 — Apurv Nagpal (@apurvnagpal) June 24, 2025 Bumrah gonna choke again today. — . (@chixxreturns) June 24, 2025 Why isn't Jadeja bowling? Why is Thakur bowling? Prasidh Krishna manages to go at 5.75 runs an over on a 5th-day pitch. Absolutely brainless captaincy. — कुशल मेहरा (@kushal_mehra) June 24, 2025 Also Read | Watch: Ravindra Jadeja Smirks, Pumps Fist as Umpires Approve Ball Change Duckett and Crawley coordinated a batting clinic, handling the morning session as a limited-overs run chase. Duckett, inventive and aggressive, got to a scorching fifty off 66 balls, finding gaps behind point and past mid-on with surgical precision. Crawley acted as the anchor, pushing singles and punishing anything too full. The duo balanced each other nicely, adding 100 runs in under 25 overs without taking excess risks. Their movement against Ravindra Jadeja was authoritative, refusing the left-arm spinner the opportunity to settle. The pace bowlers changed with minimal impact, Mohammed Siraj errant, Prasidh Krishan costly and Shardul Thakur useless for the most part. Even Bumrah, India's strongest weapon, was unable to coax life from the surface. With slow outfield and agile hands, England's openers kept running the score and the pressure tightly on the hosts. England's good intentions and shot choice showed how much batting-friendly the conditions actually remained, even on Day 5. While England closed in steadily on their objective, there was mounting skepticism on Gill's captaincy in his very first Test as India's captain. His defensive field placements, letting singles flow freely, and not pressurizing when England were coasting, were criticized by critics and viewers alike. Even with India enjoying a comfortable cushion, Gill's reluctance to experiment with off-beat fields or reintroduce Bumrah with a burst left everyone seething in anger. His treatment of Jadeja was equally bewildering, utilized in bursts and without aggressive fields. If Gill was trolled for strategy, the Indian bowlers were pounded for their execution. Bumrah appeared fatigued and underused, Siraj was unpredictable, Krishna leaked boundaries and Shardul was ineffective to a large extent. The agreement was unanimous, India weren't being out-played, they were being out-fought and out-thought. The bowling had no bite, and spectators were not in the mood to give anyone a break.