New Delhi: Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer came up with an explanation that might not convince many after India suffered a 9-wicket defeat in the 4th T20I against on Friday to go 3-0 down in the five-match series.
England bagged their third win in a row to clinch the series as India remain winless on their ongoing tour of the UK.
It was India’s second T20I series defeat in a row after they were clean-swept 2-0 by Ireland in their last outing under . Since replacing Suryakumar Yadav as India’s T20I skipper last month, Iyer is yet to win his first game as captain, with the Men in Blue losing all five of their completed T20Is under him so far.
It was yet another abject surrender from India in the 4th T20I as England comfortably chased down the 159-run target after restricting the visitors to 158/7 in 20 overs. Iyer slammed an unbeaten 80 off 49 to lead from the front, but failed to find support from the other end in what was a dismal batting display from India.
Speaking after his team’s 9-wicket defeat, Iyer insisted the Indian team was in a “transition phase” and that mistakes are expected from the youngsters in the side as they try to adapt to overseas conditions.
“See, this is the transition phase and we will be making lot of mistakes. You see a lot of youngsters playing here in these conditions for the first time. So mistakes will definitely make them realise how important it is to adapt and have that awareness when you come in the overseas conditions,” said the Indian skipper.
However, his explanation might not be convincing for many as India are the reigning T20 world champions and lifted the World Cup a few months back. The selectors and the team management have retained the core from India’s World Cup-winning team in the current squad while introducing youngsters like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Prince Yadav.
15-year-old Sooryavanshi and Prince are playing their first and second T20I series for India, respectively. However, barring the duo, all others in India’s squad are experienced campaigners, and a majority of them were part of the 2026 T20 World Cup-winning squad under Suryakumar.
Iyer, however, insisted the Indian team will learn quickly from their mistakes and bounce back strongly as they look to get back on track after their disastrous show in their ongoing tour of the UK. India’s struggles in overseas conditions have been left exposed on the current tour, with the batters struggling on wickets that have some aid for the bowlers.
“Certainly. It’s important that you learn quickly from your mistakes so that the team also benefits eventually out of it. And I’m sure that there are quick learners in the team. I’m sure they will assess themselves and get back stronger in the next game,” said Iyer.
India suffer back-to-back T20I series defeats
India have now suffered two T20I series defeats in a row under skipper Iyer. Ireland stunned the visitors by clean sweeping them 2-0 in their last series before England handed them three defeats in a row to seal the ongoing five-match series. India have lost two consecutive T20I series for the first time since 2018-19 when theu lost 2-1 to New Zealand and 2-0 to Australia in back-to-back T20I series under former skipper Virat Kohli.