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Shubman Gill and Jamie Smith (Source: Getty Images)

Ahead of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Indian fans were concerned about the lack of experience in their team, especially after the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin in recent times. Under a new captain, Shubman Gill, the Indian team had a challenging task of overwhelming a strong England side in foreign conditions.

While India lost the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, in the five-match series by five wickets, there were plenty of positives that they can take forward. The batting from the top-order and Jasprit Bumrah's lethal bowling, especially in the first innings, are silver linings that India would want to take heart from.

England wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith quashed claims of India being short on experience, highlighting how the Asian giants fought relentlessly throughout the five days in the Test match.

“When they’re trying to get 10 wickets and you’re chasing 370, it’s not everyday that gets done. There could have been some head-downs at the end but they kept trying all day. I see a lot of chat about maybe some inexperience on their part but I thought they were fantastic throughout the five days,” Smith told ESPNcricinfo.

While there were signs of promise, fielding lapses, batting collapses, and a lack of penetration from the bowling department were also evident.

Smith, who scored an unbeaten 44 off 55 balls in the fourth innings to help England chase down a 371-run target, acknowledged the intensity and pressure of the occasion, especially for a new captain trying to lead from the front.

“It’s hard when you’re out there and you’re focused on the job at hand... You know the importance of that moment, when you have the opportunity to start the series with a win, that your focus is all on that,” he added.

India and England will meet each other once again this week as the second Test begins on Wednesday, July 2, at Edgbaston, Birmingham.