BCCI to review T20I team after England series loss: Saikia
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will conduct a comprehensive performance review of the men's T20I team as soon as the ongoing England tour concludes, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed on 10 July. The announcement follows India's heavy nine-wicket defeat to England in Bristol on Thursday, which handed the hosts an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.
What Saikia Said
Speaking from Edinburgh, where the ICC Annual Conference is currently underway, Saikia acknowledged the team's prolonged slump while expressing confidence that the review process would identify actionable solutions.
'The Indian T20I team is going through a bad phase in their games against England and Ireland before. So, we have to do a review once this series is over. Right now, a bad phase is going on in terms of the performance of the men's T20I team,' Saikia said. He added, 'We will have to look into what the problems they are facing, and we will definitely try to sort it out in a detailed review once the series is over. The review will happen immediately after the ODI series ends in England on July 19.'
What Went Wrong in Bristol
In the Bristol T20I, Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 80 was the lone bright spot in an otherwise dismal Indian batting display. Poor shot selection saw the rest of the line-up fold rapidly, restricting India to a below-par 158/7. England's Harry Brook (79 not out) and Phil Salt (59 not out) then completed the chase with six overs to spare, making it look entirely one-sided.
A Troubled Run in T20Is
India's difficulties in the shortest format have been mounting since their return to international cricket. The defending Men's T20 World Cup champions suffered a historic first-ever 2-0 series defeat to Ireland, followed by the ongoing capitulation against England — including a record 125-run loss after being bowled out for just 76 in Nottingham. The top and middle order have struggled to adapt to lively pitches abroad, the bowling attack has looked toothless without Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, and fielding standards have slipped below the team's usual benchmarks.
What Is at Stake
India must win the fifth and final T20I against England at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Saturday to protect their top position in the men's T20I rankings. Beyond the England tour, a three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe is scheduled to begin on 23 July in Harare, leaving little time for the review's conclusions to be put into practice before the next assignment.