Fourth match of the series between India and England in BristolImage Credit source: Getty Images
While leaving India for UK, Team India, BCCI and Indian fans would not have even dreamed that there would be chances of victory for them in the coming weeks. Just a few months after becoming T20 World Champion, the same Indian team would lose the T20 series to Ireland. But this happened and after this the fear of defeat against England filled the mind, which is on the verge of coming true. Team India is in danger of series defeat in the fourth T20 match on Thursday, July 9 in Bristol, which has not been seen till now in the history of India-England T20 series.
After the shocking 0-2 defeat at the hands of Ireland in the T20 series, Team India’s fortunes in England have still not changed. Under the leadership of new captain Shreyas Iyer, the Indian team has faced defeat in 2 out of 3 matches of the series. The very first match of the series was washed out due to rain, otherwise the result could have been anything and considering the current form of Team India, perhaps this series would have been decided in the last match itself.
But this danger has not gone away yet. It is important for Team India to win the fourth T20 match, which is going to be held on Thursday at the County Ground in Bristol, at any cost. If the Indian team wins this match, it will get one more chance to save the series. Then the decision will be taken in the 5th and last match. But if Team India fails to break the losing streak in Bristol too, then it will have to face defeat at the hands of England for the first time in a T20 series.
The journey of at least 2 match T20 series between India and England started in December 2012. Then the very first series ended in a draw of 1-1. But after that, all the T20 series of 2 or more matches were won by the Indian team. Overall, 6 such series were played between India and England between 2012 and 2026 in about 14 years, out of which Team India won 5 and 1 was a draw. This is the seventh series and here the record of success of Team India seems to be getting tarnished. Will the pair of Iyer and Gambhir be able to save it from getting tarnished? The decision will be taken in Bristol.
