BCCI secretary Saikia holds London talks ahead of India-England T20I series
Synopsis
Just days after India's T20 World Cup-winning men's side suffered a shock 0-2 series loss to Ireland, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia convened talks in London with board functionaries — including DDCA president Rohan Jaitley — as India prepares for a five-match T20I series against England starting 1 July. The timing signals that the board is paying close attention to a team in transition.
Key Takeaways
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia held talks with board functionaries in London on 29 June , ahead of the England white-ball tour.
DDCA president and BCCI infra committee chief Rohan Jaitley was also present at the meeting.
India suffered a 0-2 T20I series loss to Ireland , including a dramatic 1-run defeat in the second match.
The five-match T20I series against England runs from 1 to 11 July ; the three-match ODI series follows from 14 to 19 July .
Virat Kohli is set to return for the ODIs, subject to fitness clearance after a hamstring injury during IPL 2026 .
Shubman Gill leads the ODI side; Shreyas captains the T20I leg.
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia held what he described as 'important and productive discussions' with board functionaries in London on 29 June, days before India's white-ball tour of England gets underway on 1 July.
What Saikia Said
Saikia shared the update on social media, writing: 'Had some important and productive discussions with BCCI functionaries in London today on matters concerning Indian cricket... Looking forward to the road ahead.' Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) president and BCCI infrastructure committee chief Rohan Jaitley was also present at the meeting.
The Backdrop: A Difficult Fortnight for Indian Cricket
The London talks come at a particularly sensitive moment for Indian cricket. The reigning T20 World Cup champion men's side suffered a 0-2 series defeat to Ireland — the Irish team's first-ever series win over India in internationals. The second T20I, played on Sunday, ended in a dramatic 1-run loss for India, with pace duo Jai Moondra and Matthew Hollard each claiming three wickets to seal the result. On the women's side, India failed to advance beyond the group stage after losing to Australia in their final group match at Lord's Cricket Ground.
A New Era in the Shortest Format
The Ireland T20Is were India's first in the format since their T20 World Cup triumph earlier this year, and they marked the beginning of a new chapter with Shreyas taking charge of the T20I side. The longer-term focus is on the 2028 Men's T20 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, as well as the Los Angeles Olympics. The Ireland setback, while disappointing, is being viewed through the lens of a transition period.
What the England Tour Looks Like
Following the Ireland tour, the same squad travels to England for a five-match T20I series running from 1 to 11 July, followed by a three-match ODI series from 14 to 19 July. Shreyas will captain the T20I leg, while Shubman Gill leads the ODI side with Shreyas as his deputy. The ODI series is set to feature the return of Virat Kohli, who missed the recent ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury sustained during IPL 2026 — though his participation remains subject to fitness clearance.
What to Watch
With back-to-back losses to Ireland still fresh, the BCCI's London deliberations signal that team management and board officials are closely monitoring the transition. How India's new T20I leadership group responds against a full-strength England side will be the first real indicator of where this team is headed ahead of 2028.
Point of View
A new format cycle, and the 2028 World Cup as the horizon — is off to a rocky start, and the board knows it. The more pressing question is structural: if a reigning world champion side loses to Ireland twice in a row, is the problem selection, leadership, or the depth of the bench that feeds into a transitional squad? The Kohli fitness subplot in the ODIs adds another layer — his return is welcome, but relying on a 37-year-old's availability to shore up a series that should be a platform for the next generation raises its own questions.
NationPress
29 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia meet officials in London?
Saikia held discussions with BCCI functionaries in London on 29 June to address 'matters concerning Indian cricket' ahead of India's white-ball tour of England. DDCA president Rohan Jaitley was also part of the meeting, though the specific agenda was not disclosed.
When does India's T20I series against England begin?
India's five-match T20I series against England starts on 1 July and runs through 11 July. It is followed by a three-match ODI series from 14 to 19 July.
Who is captaining India in the England T20Is and ODIs?
Shreyas captains the T20I side, while Shubman Gill leads the ODI squad with Shreyas as deputy. The captaincy split reflects India's ongoing transition in white-ball cricket.
Is Virat Kohli playing in the England series?
Virat Kohli is included in the ODI squad and is expected to return after missing the Afghanistan ODI series due to a hamstring injury sustained during IPL 2026. His participation is subject to fitness clearance.
How did India perform in the Ireland T20I series before the England tour?
India lost the T20I series against Ireland 0-2, including a 1-run defeat in the second match. It was Ireland's first-ever series win over India in international cricket, making it a significant low point for the reigning T20 World Cup champions.
