India have their back to the wall and need to regroup quickly to stay alive in the T20 series as they take on England in the fourth match at Bristol on Thursday (July 9).
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India vs England | Visitors need to regroup quickly to stay afloat in T20I series
In one lineIndia face a must-win T20I against England after a disastrous 0-2 series deficit and selection controversies.Key points• Series crisisIndia trail 0-2 in the five-match T20I series with one match abandoned, leaving them needing a dramatic turnaround.• Selection turmoilSanju Samson’s omission despite his T20 World Cup heroics has sparked public backlash and selection dilemmas.• Batting collapseIndia’s top order was dismantled by England’s pace attack, with the team bowled out for 76 in the third T20I.• Tactical misstepsPromoting Harshit Rana over Shivam Dube and sidelining Suryakumar Yadav has drawn criticism from fans and pundits.• Spinners under scrutinyVarun Chakaravarthy has failed to impress, taking just one wicket from seven overs across the series.Key statistics2-0England’s series lead76India’s lowest T20I total125 runsEngland’s winning margin1Varun Chakaravarthy’s wicketsProcessed with AI. Reviewed by DH Digital Team.
Trailing 0-2 in the five-match series with one match abandoned and and faced with selection dilemma and struggling to adapt in hostile conditions, the Shreyas Iyer-led India have their task cut out in the day-night encounter which begins at 10pm IST.
The biggest selection conundrum surrounds Sanju Samson, who was dropped from the second and third T20I in favour of 15-year-old swashbuckler Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The teenager has not done any worse or better than the rest of the team so far and India head coach Gautam Gambhir has not ruled out Samson’s return.
In a matter of four months, Sanju’s career has swung from darkness to dizzying heights, only to return to square one.
While it would be unfair to blame skipper Iyer, who is chasing his first victory since being elevated to captaincy in a surprise decision during his comeback series, the onus lies heavily on the coaching think-tank led by Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee.
It remains to be seen if they can avoid the ignominy of another series loss.
The tactical calls made by the team management have not gone down well with the fans too.
Chants of “We Want Sanju” echoed outside Trent Bridge stadium as the Gambhir-led contingent proceeded to the team bus following their crushing 125-run defeat in the third T20I on Wednesday.
The shocking capitulation at Trent Bridge has also laid bare the team’s flaws and the management’s lack of a clear vision.
The batters failed miserably against a fast and furious pace attack led by Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue, who blew India away by sharing seven wickets between them, including the entire top five.
Now, in order to accommodate Sanju without unsettling the opening partnership and thereby granting Sooryavanshi an unhindered, pressure-free run to find his flair, the middle order may have to be rejigged.
While wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan is likely to retain his place as the management trusts his glovework and batting flair, it is vice-captain Tilak Varma whose spot may come under intense scrutiny.
Apart from a gritty 55 against Ireland that went in vain during a narrow one-run defeat, Varma has been found wanting, failing to convert his starts with scores of 13, 24 not out, and 3 in the matches in England.
It remains to be seen if India will fall back on Sanju to revive their sagging fortunes with a revamped batting order.