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India have lost two consecutive T20I series after T20 World Cup 2026 triumph. Under Shreyas Iyer, the team in transition has not been able to make the much-needed adjustments on the England tour. After 76 allout in Nottingham, India lost by 9 wickets in Bristol, leading to fingers being pointed towards Iyer’s captaincy, head coach Gautam Gambhir-led team management. Ahead of the fifth and final T20I of the series, Gujarat Titans’ (GT) assistant coach Parthiv Patel has suggested two changes in the playing eleven. The former India wicketkeeper-batter wants Washington Sundar and vice-captain Tilak Varma to make way for Suryansh Shedge and Sanju Samson respectively.
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"It's difficult. You would obviously ask that if Sanju Samson has to come into the team, in whose place should he come? I would actually make two changes. One is that I would give Suryansh Shedge a spot in the team in place of Washington Sundar so that you have four bowlers, and Shivam Dube and Shedge can bowl two overs apiece for you, Parthiv said on JioStar.
"In whose place will Sanju Samson come? Unfortunately, I feel the vice-captain will have to be dropped because, if you want the combination, Sanju Samson can come in place of Tilak Varma," he added.
Where will Sanju bat if he replaces Tilak?
Samson’s absence has been questioned by many despite him scoring six runs from three innings on UK tour. Many have criticised the team management for not giving Samson a long rope despite his T20 World Cup 2026 heroics, especially after he was rested or dropped from the squad for Zimbabwe T20I series.
India’s vice-captain Varma has scored just 51 runs from four innings at a strike rate of 18.60. While Parthiv wants Samson to replace Tilak, it will lead to another headache. Samson has batted in the middle order but he got his opening spot back after India’s off-spin issue.
Samson has batted at no.5 and scored 138 runs from eight innings at a strike rate of 127.77. He has batted at sixth and seventh positions as well, registering scores of 12 and 19 respectively.
Shedge solves only one issue
Meanwhile, Washington Sundar has played a game each against England and Ireland on UK tour. In one over reach against them, they conceded 19 runs. Also, he registered single-digit scores from Belfast to Bristol. He batted ahead of Axar Patel in the fourth T20I but could score just five runs from eight balls.
Shedge was brought in as a replacement for an injured Nitish Kumar Reddy. Shedge made his T20I debut against Ireland and conceded 25 runs from two overs. In the unsuccessful run chase, he could score just one run from five balls. However, Shedge will solve the problem of having too many left-handers.
The fifth and the final T20I will be played on July 11 at The Rose Bowl, Southampton. India would look to avoid a 4-0 defeat. A win in Southmapton may help India retain their top spot in ICC T20I team rankings.
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