Ahead of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Indian fans were concerned about their team’s lack of experience, particularly given the recent retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Under a new captain, Shubman Gill, the Indian squad faced the difficult task of defeating a powerful England side in foreign conditions.

While India lost the first Test of the five-match series by five wickets in Headingley, Leeds, there were plenty of things to take away. The top-order batting and Jasprit Bumrah‘s deadly bowling, particularly in the first innings, are positive signs for India.

England wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith dismissed allegations that India lacked experience, pointing out how the Asian giants fought tirelessly during the five-day Test match.

“It’s not every day that you get 10 wickets while chasing 370 runs. There could have been some head-downs at the end, but they tried all day.

I see a lot of talk about their inexperience, but I thought they were terrific the entire five days,” Jamie Smith said.

While there were some promising indicators, the bowling department struggled with fielding, batting, and penetration.

Smith, who produced an unbeaten 44 off 55 balls in the fourth innings to help England chase down a 371-run target, acknowledged the occasion’s intensity and pressure, particularly as a new captain attempting to lead from the front.

“It’s challenging when you’re out there and focused on the task at hand… You understand the significance of that moment, when you have the opportunity to begin the series with a win, and you focus solely on that,” he continued.

India and England will meet again this week, with the second Test beginning on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston in Birmingham.