India’s recent struggles in white-ball cricket have prompted growing concern after a disappointing run of results extended with a record-breaking defeat against England. The reigning T20 World Cup champions have now lost a two-match T20I series in Ireland before slipping 2-0 behind in the ongoing five-match series against England, culminating in a crushing 125-run defeat at Trent Bridge — the heaviest defeat by runs in India’s T20I history. The performances have led to strong criticism from former India Captain and former India Head Coach Anil Kumble, while former India Captain and former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has backed the team to recover despite its difficult start.
England claimed a four-wicket victory with an over to spare after chasing down India’s 190/7 in the second T20I before producing another commanding performance at Trent Bridge, posting 201/7 and dismissing India for just 76. The opening match of the series had ended without a result after rain prevented England’s chase from being completed despite India posting 189/7, leaving the visitors still searching for their first victory of the tour.
Kumble questions India’s tactical approach
Kumble delivered a scathing assessment of India’s performance while speaking on JioHotstar’s Match Centre Live, describing the defeat as a worrying reflection of both the team’s approach and its inability to respond under pressure against England’s pace attack.
He said, “It was an abject surrender by the Indian team. You don’t expect a world champion side to cave in like that.”
Continuing his assessment of the batting collapse, he added, “The Indian batters needed to show more patience and application, but everyone just tried to attack instead of absorbing the pressure. Yes, the required rate was over 10, but someone had to take responsibility and bat deep. Instead, they went the aggressive route and paid the price with a batting collapse.”
Kumble also questioned India’s decision-making during the chase, arguing that the batting order failed to maximise the team’s strongest players when the match was slipping away.
He noted, “In T20 cricket, you put your best batters up front. Sending out Harshit Rana to bat ahead of a more complete batter like Shivam Dube was wrong. You can’t expect a number eight guy to win you a game by sending him to bat ahead of a proven guy. That’s not how things work in modern-day cricket.”
Calls for greater stability in selection
Beyond the defeat itself, Kumble argued that India’s frequent changes to the playing XI were preventing the side from building continuity, particularly within its bowling attack.
Kumble stated, “The Indian team has made too many changes to their lineup, and that needs to stop. The bowlers keep changing. Prasidh Krishna was dropped after one bad game against Ireland. Prince Yadav came in, bowled well, and picked three wickets in the second T20I, but India still lost that game. As a new captain, you need to stick with your five bowlers. Batters will score runs, but bowlers win you matches.”
Kumble also urged the team management to continue backing players through difficult periods rather than reacting to individual performances.
He added, “When you pick players, you need to keep backing them. Ups and downs are part and parcel of life. They keep happening, but that doesn’t mean failures end up with you getting dropped from the squad.”
The former India Head Coach also questioned Kuldeep Yadav’s omission from India’s recent squads.
He observed, “Kuldeep Yadav certainly didn’t have a great season in the IPL, but he is a champion bowler. He should have been a part of the squad for this England tour. He was part of the side that won the T20 World Cup, and now he is not part of the squad here in England, nor the team going to Zimbabwe. So yes, it means they have moved on from Kuldeep after just one poor IPL season.”
He continued, “It’s not like Kuldeep is 38 years old and you are looking to bring in the next youngster. He is 31, has a lot of cricket to offer, and he doesn’t play all three formats regularly. He doesn’t play much Test cricket, so it’s not like he is burdened and needs to be rested. He needs to play.”
Ganguly expects India to respond
While Kumble delivered a detailed critique of India’s tactical decisions, Ganguly struck a more measured tone when discussing the team’s recent performances. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his 54th birthday celebrations, the former BCCI President admitted he had been surprised by India’s downturn but insisted the quality within the squad remained unquestionable.
He said, “I am a bit surprised by India’s performances. They have been such a strong white-ball side, and this appears to be a temporary dip in form.”
Ganguly nevertheless backed the team to recover despite falling behind in the series, expressing confidence that the current struggles would not define a side that has consistently been among the world’s strongest white-ball teams.
He added, “They have not looked at their best, but India have plenty of quality players and I am sure they will bounce back. Their only option now is to level the series. Every good team goes through difficult phases and finds a way to recover.”
Asked about Sanju Samson’s omission from the playing XI, the former India Captain declined to offer an opinion.
He remarked, “That is a call for the team management (to make). It would not be appropriate for me to comment on it.”
Ganguly also revealed that he had been keeping an eye on football alongside India’s cricket matches during the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
He added, “I have watched Argentina’s and India’s matches side by side.”
India will now head into the fourth T20I looking to register their first victory of the England tour and keep the five-match series alive after a run of results that has intensified questions over the team’s tactics, selection and overall approach in the shortest format.
