Shreyas Iyer: '17th over haunted us' after India's T20I loss vs England
Synopsis
A 29-run 17th over — and Jacob Bethell's fearless unbeaten 76 — undid India's stranglehold at Old Trafford. Shreyas Iyer refused to blame Bishnoi publicly, but the costly over that 'haunted' India has levelled the series and raised sharp questions about India's death-bowling options ahead of the decider.
Key Takeaways
England beat India by four wickets in the 2nd T20I at Old Trafford on 4 July , chasing 191 with an over to spare.
A 29-run 17th over was identified by captain Shreyas Iyer as the decisive turning point.
Jacob Bethell starred with an unbeaten 76 , anchoring England's chase with fearless batting against the spinners.
Ravi Bishnoi bore the brunt of the costly over; Iyer publicly backed the leg-spinner to bounce back.
Sam Curran's disciplined bowling outside off stump was credited by Iyer as a key tactical factor during India's innings.
The T20I series is now level at 1-1 , with the decider still to come.
Shreyas Iyer conceded that a single catastrophic over derailed India's chase of what he called a competitive total, after England claimed a four-wicket victory in the second T20I at Old Trafford, Manchester on Saturday, 4 July, overhauling a target of 191 with an over to spare. The defeat levels the series at 1-1 heading into the decider.
Where the Match Turned
India appeared firmly in control for the bulk of England's chase, reducing the hosts to 1 for 2 in the opening over and maintaining pressure through the middle overs. The contest shifted dramatically in the 17th over, which yielded 29 runs and broke India's grip on the match.
'I think we all know where it went away but I don't want to pinpoint a particular player. I was like, okay he's going to come back strong after that. But the 17th over haunted us. But he'll learn,' Iyer said after the game, in a pointed but measured reference to leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi's expensive spell.
Bethell's Decisive Knock
Jacob Bethell's unbeaten 76 was the centrepiece of England's chase. The left-hander's calculated assault on the spinners in the closing stages proved the difference, as he and England's lower order dismantled India's advantage with calculated aggression. Iyer was generous in his assessment of the youngster.
'He's got that unflinching attitude where he's fearless. The way he bats in the nets... something to learn out of him. I wasn't anticipating him to be nervous,' the India captain said.
Iyer also noted that England had done their homework on Old Trafford's dimensions and surface early in the chase — a tactical edge that Bethell exploited to full effect. 'They analysed the dimensions of the ground and the wicket early,' he observed.
India's First-Innings Assessment
Despite the loss, Iyer defended India's batting effort, describing 190 as a 'phenomenal score on this pitch with variable bounce.' He acknowledged that his side was on top for the first 15 overs of England's reply before Bethell's counter-attack changed the match's trajectory.
The India skipper also singled out Sam Curran for the precision of his bowling during India's innings, noting that the England all-rounder's consistent line outside off stump was 'very well planned.'
Backing Bishnoi and Looking Ahead
Iyer was careful not to publicly blame Bishnoi for the defeat, instead framing the experience as a learning moment for the young spinner. The leg-spinner's expensive over proved pivotal, but Iyer's public backing suggests the management views the setback as a development opportunity rather than a selection crisis.
'Absolutely, I'm always in high spirits and I know that this is the lowest you can go,' Iyer said, signalling that the dressing room would move on quickly. With the series now level, all attention turns to the deciding match, where India will need their bowling attack — and Bishnoi in particular — to respond.
Point of View
Not an anomaly. A 29-run over from a specialist spinner — not a part-timer — in a chase of 191 points to a structural gap in India's T20 bowling depth when the primary seamers are taken out of the equation. Backing Bishnoi publicly is the right man-management call, but the series decider will demand more than high spirits. The real question is whether India's coaching staff have a tactical adjustment ready, or whether they are relying on the same setup that just cost them a match they were winning for 15 overs.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the 2nd T20I between India and England?
England beat India by four wickets in the 2nd T20I at Old Trafford on 4 July, chasing down 191 with an over to spare. A 29-run 17th over proved the decisive turning point, with Jacob Bethell's unbeaten 76 anchoring the chase.
What did Shreyas Iyer say about the 17th over?
Iyer said the 17th over 'haunted' India, acknowledging it as the moment the match slipped away. He declined to single out any individual player, instead expressing confidence that the bowler involved would learn from the experience.
How did Jacob Bethell win the match for England?
Jacob Bethell scored an unbeaten 76, leading England's chase with aggressive batting against India's spinners in the closing overs. Iyer credited Bethell's 'unflinching' and 'fearless' attitude as a key factor, noting that England had also analysed the ground dimensions early.
Did Shreyas Iyer back Ravi Bishnoi after the costly over?
Yes, Iyer publicly backed Bishnoi, framing the expensive spell as a learning opportunity. He said he expected the leg-spinner to 'come back strong' and emerge better from the experience.
What is the current series score after the 2nd T20I?
The T20I series between India and England is now level at 1-1 after England's four-wicket win in the second match at Old Trafford. The series will be decided in the final match.
