NEW DELHI: Congress MP and noted cricket enthusiast Shashi Tharoor delivered a scathing verdict on India’s latest T20I collapse after England sealed an emphatic 3-0 series win, saying he was left “speechless” by yet another humiliating defeat.India’s nine-wicket loss in the fourth T20I at Bristol gave England an unassailable lead in the five-match series, extending a disappointing overseas run for the reigning T20 world champions.Reacting soon after the match, Tharoor took to X and summed up the mood among the Indian fans with a strong writing post.“I am truly speechless. Stunned. Gobsmacked. This is too humiliating. There is literally nothing to say,” he wrote.His remarks came after India failed to defend a modest total of 158/7, with England dismissing them in just 13.5 overs thanks to an unbeaten 146-run partnership between captain Harry Brook (79 not out) and Phil Salt (59 not out).
Shreyas Iyer: “Happy with my performance but…”
India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted his side were second best in every department despite producing an unbeaten fighting 80 from 49 balls after the visitors suffered another batting collapse.“Again, it was a disappointment. Definitely, 158 was not the perfect total on the board,” Iyer said.He felt India’s bowlers failed to execute their plans after England capitalized on loose deliveries.“I think we fell a little short in terms of our execution. When we changed the pace, when we tried something else, they scored those loose balls,” he said.Reflecting on his own innings, Iyer said the individual milestones offered little consolation in defeat.“Definitely happy with my performance, but if it’s not in the winning cause, it just goes to the side. Every time I play, I want to do it and see my team win,” he said.The skipper also urged patience with a young team, describing the current phase as part of India’s rebuilding process.“This is the transition phase and we will make a lot of mistakes. Many young people are playing in these conditions for the first time. It is important that you learn quickly from your mistakes,” he added.
The coach admits that India are “sufficient” overseas
Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate offered an equally honest assessment, saying that India must face the reality that they have struggled badly away from home conditions.“We need to accept the fact that we are under foreign conditions,” he said.The former Dutch international stressed that the challenge was not only technical but mental, urging the players to adapt more quickly to overseas pitches instead of relying on methods that succeed in India.“What works in India doesn’t necessarily work here. We just haven’t managed to change from that mentality,” he said.India will now look to avoid a 4-0 scoreline when they take on England in the fifth and final T20I in Southampton on Saturday, hoping to salvage some pride after a series that drew criticism from fans, pundits and politicians.
