Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has defended T20I captain Shreyas Iyer after India's back-to-back series defeats in the format. Ten Doeschate said that the team management is focused on long-term planning ahead of future ICC tournaments despite the recent disappointing results.
Team India suffered a nine-wicket defeat to England in the fourth T20I at the County Ground in Bristol on Thursday, July 9. The loss gave England an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series and handed India consecutive T20I series defeats for the first time since 2019, following their 2-0 loss to Ireland.
You Have to Forward Plan - Ryan ten Doeschate Defends Shreyas Iyer
Ryan ten Doeschate defended Shreyas Iyer after India suffered back-to-back T20I series defeats. The assistant coach said the management replaced Suryakumar Yadav as captain to build a team for the 2028 T20 World Cup and asked fans to look at the bigger picture.
"When you're in this position of managing or even just coaching a team like India, you have to forward plan as well. Surya was a fantastic leader, but if you weigh up where he is age-wise and you're looking ahead to two years down the line with Australia, you have to make some really tough calls."
"There's going to be a million opinions about it. The immediate backlash of transitioning to a new captain, then losing two games against Ireland and being 3-0 down in the series in England... I get that the optics of that aren't very good."
"I also think it's important to look at things holistically. Hardik and Jasprit make a big difference to the team. We've got a different squad here with slightly different weapons."
We Need to Give Shreyas a Little Bit of Time - Ryan ten Doeschate
Ryan ten Doeschate said the team management is happy with the way Shreyas Iyer has handled the captaincy despite the recent defeats. He added that the absence of key players like Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah has also affected the team's balance.
"We also need to give Shreyas a little bit of time to grow into the role and for the players to adapt to his captaincy style as well. I think he's started really well, leading from the front with the bat."
"For someone who hasn't been part of that successful team, to come in and put scores on the board the way he has done has been impressive. Even in very difficult situations, he's still speaking up, taking accountability, and working tirelessly to make the improvements that we've all been speaking about. I've been really impressed by how he's gone about things so far, and I'm sure he'll get his just rewards as his time as captain goes on."
Shreyas Iyer's Unbeaten 80 Goes in Vain as England Seal Series
After winning the toss, India scored 158/7 in 20 overs. Shreyas Iyer led the batting with an unbeaten 80 off 49 balls, hitting four fours and five sixes. Shivam Dube was the only other Indian batter to cross 20, scoring 22 off 23 deliveries.
England chased down the 159-run target in just 13.5 overs to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series. Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 79 off 35 balls, while Phil Salt scored an unbeaten 59 off 42. Arshdeep Singh dismissed Jos Buttler early, but England still completed the chase with 37 balls to spare.
Shreyas Iyer became the first Indian captain to lose five consecutive T20Is as Team India created nine unwanted records after the England series defeat.
