Shreyas Iyer backed down amid growing scrutiny after England’s T20I series debacle
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has thrown his weight behind Shreyas Iyer following the team’s disappointing T20I defeat in England, urging critics to be patient with the new captain as the side goes through a tough time.
India fell into a 3-0 deficit in the five-match series after England sealed their first bilateral T20I series win over the visitors with a crushing nine-wicket victory in Bristol on Thursday.
Harry Brook and Phil Salt put on an unbeaten stand of 146 runs to chase down a target of 159 runs off 37 balls. The defeat also marked India’s fifth loss in six T20Is under Shreyas Iyer.
The series loss came after a shock 2-0 defeat in Ireland, increasing the pressure on Iyer to replace Suryakumar Yadav as India’s T20I captain despite not being part of the World Cup winning campaign. Ten Doeschate, however, insisted that management took a long-term view when making the leadership change.
“When you manage or coach a team like India, you have to plan ahead. Surya has been a fantastic leader, but when you consider where he is in age and look two years ahead, you have to make some really tough calls,” Ten Doeschate said after the fourth T20I.
“There’s going to be a million views on it and after losing two games against Ireland and going down 3-0 in England, I understand the optics don’t look great. But it’s important to look at things holistically.”
‘SHREYAS IYER GETS HIS REWARDS’
The former Dutch all-rounder pointed to the absence of key players and changes in the squad as factors behind India’s struggles overseas.
“We have made a few changes in the squad. Hardik (Pandya) and Jasprit (Bumrah) make a big difference to the team, so we have a different team with slightly different weapons. We also need to give Shreyas some time to grow into the role and allow the players to adapt to his style of captaincy,” Ten Doeschate said.
India’s batting weaknesses were exposed throughout the tour. After the whitewash in Ireland, problems continued in England as the visitors struggled with pace and movement. The collapse occurred in Nottingham, where India were bowled out for 76 in just 11.5 overswho suffered their heaviest defeat in T20Is.
Despite the team’s poor run, Iyer was one of India’s best performers. In Bristol, the skipper scored an unbeaten 80 off 49 balls, more than half of India’s total, after the rest of the batting line-up faltered. It was the only hand in a match which England ended up winning with ease.
Ten Doeschate appreciated Iyer’s attitude and determination and praised him for the way he accepted the responsibility of leading the national party.
“I think he started really well, leading from the front with the bat. For someone who wasn’t part of this successful team, coming in and scoring runs in difficult situations and still talking, taking responsibility and working tirelessly to improve, I was really impressed with the way he went about things.”
“I’m sure he will get his rewards as his tenure as captain progresses,” he added.
India will look to salvage some pride under Shreyas Iyer when they take on England in the fifth and final T20I at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday, July 11.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
Jul 10, 2026 11:51 am IST