Overview
- India were bowled out for 93 while chasing 124 to lose by 30 runs, as Simon Harmer took eight wickets and earned player of the match.
- Gambhir said there were “no demons” in the wicket and that the surface matched the team’s request, drawing sharp rebukes from Harbhajan Singh, Cheteshwar Pujara and Kris Srikkanth over rank turners.
- Ravichandran Ashwin said India are no longer the best against spin and labeled Rishabh Pant’s third‑day bowling choices a tactical error, arguing the morning should have started with Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
- Selection and role clarity came under fire after India fielded four spinners and batted Washington Sundar at No. 3, with Venkatesh Prasad questioning planning and Mohammad Kaif alleging insecurity among batters.
- The defeat dropped India to fourth in the World Test Championship standings and left captain Shubman Gill doubtful for the November 22 Guwahati Test after a neck spasm kept him out of the second innings.