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India's crushing defeat against England in the third T20I has started a fresh debate over the team's approach and the performance of its young players. After the record loss in Nottingham, India’s former finance minister and current Rajya Sabha MP P. Chidambaram shared a strong message for the young players like Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The veteran lawyer and politician has strongly said that talent alone is not enough to succeed at the highest level after the Menin Blue was bundled out for a paltry 76 runs inside 12 overs while chasing the tough target of 202 runs against England in the third T20I match on July 7.
P. Chidambaram slams India's young batters, asks them to learn from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli
Chidambaram has not named any one player directly, but he pointed towards India's young cricketers, including teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The former finance minister said that these players should learn from the iconic batters like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have built their careers by performing under pressure and playing to win matches.
Slamming the youngsters’ ultra-aggressive approach with the bat, Chidambaram stressed that the game of cricket is not just about the entertainment but also the sport where winning matters a lot. Amid this, Sanjay Manjrekar asks Sanju Samson to improve fitness, follow Virat Kohli's footsteps.
Taking to his official X handle (formerly Twitter) after the embarrassing defeat, P. Chidambaram stated, “Cricket is not only entertainment. It is sport plus entertainment. Our young players—gifted as they are—must learn this lesson from the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Sport is played to win.”
Cricket is not only entertainment. It is sport plus entertainment. Our young players - gifted as they are - must learn this lesson from the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) July 7, 2026
Sport is played to win.
England pacers destroy India's batting line-up
Well, India had one of their worst days in T20 International cricket as England registered a massive 125-run victory at Trent Bridge. Chasing 202, the Men in Blue were bowled out for just 76 runs in only 11.4 overs. It was India's biggest defeat by runs in T20I history.
India handed England a 2-0 lead in the ongoing five-match T20I series after the first match was washed out. The Indian batting line-up completely shattered against England bowlers. Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue bowled with pace and accuracy, making life difficult for every batter.
Archer picked up three wickets, while Tongue finished with four as India's chase ended in a shocking fashion. Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showed some fearless batting by hitting one six each against Archer and Tongue. However, he could manage only 13 runs from five balls before getting caught while trying to attack a sharp short-pitched delivery.
India's top order fails badly as England cross 200 runs
It was another reminder that international cricket is a completely different challenge than the IPL, where he stunned the world-class bowlers. And then, Abhishek Sharma (10) also lost his wicket after another attacking shot, while Ishan Kishan (13) also failed to convert his start despite hitting a six. Captain Shreyas Iyer (5) also failed to lead the side from the front.
Seven batters were dismissed for just a single-digit score against England. Earlier in the match, England posted a strong total of 201/7. Opener Phil Salt led the charge with a brilliant 70, while all-rounder Sam Curran remained unbeaten on 41.
England added 89 runs in the last eight overs to cross the 200-run mark against India. The heavy defeat has now increased pressure on head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shreyas Iyer. With England firmly ahead in the series, India will now have to bounce back strongly and win the remaining matches to level the T20I series.
