India’s new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer’s tenure has got off to a horrendous start. On July 9, the reigning T20 World Champions suffered their fifth defeat from six games since lifting the trophy in Ahmedabad. India were timid with batting and bowling. The visitors posted 158/7 which wasn’t enough to challenge England as the hosts chased it down in 13.5 overs. After the nine wicket-defeat, Iyer admitted that the total wasn’t enough. He also blamed the bowlers’ execution for the manner of defeat. He revealed what lengths he asked them to bowl after his unbeaten 80.
"Again it was a disappointing one. 158 wasn't the perfect total on the board. Eventually we saw how quickly they chased it down. When we came onto bowl I just asked the bowlers to repeat the lengths as much as possible,” Iyer said in the post-match presentation.
"Top of middle and leg was difficult to score off. We fell short on our execution."
ALSO READ: Will Jordan Henderson play against Norway? England teammates provide fresh update
Top order fails, batting order shuffles hurt India
After winning the toss at County Ground, Bristol, Iyer opted to bat first. India's top-order disappointed again. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi fell to Jofra Archer for the second time to a short ball. After 48/3, the team management's decision to Shivam Dube in the middle didn't work. The constant changes in the batting order continued. Dube scored 22 runs from 23 balls in the 53-run partnership with Iyer. Tilak Varma walked in to bat in the 14th over. He managed to score 11 runs from eight balls. Then, Axar Patel was held back. Washington Sundar scored just five runs from eight balls. Patel was run out for one run from two balls as India posted a below par score of 158/7.
Brook goes berserk in run chase
In the run chase, Jos Buttler was dismissed early by Arshdeep Singh. Phil Salt and Brook launched an assault and Indian bowlers were put under pressure. Sundar's only over went for 19 runs. Patel was taken to the cleaners as well. Brook reached his fifty from just 21 deliveries. In the 12th over, Salt reached his fifty from 34 balls. He hasn't been at his attacking best but getting crucial runs. On the fifth ball of the 14th over, England finished the run chase to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
The fifth and final T20I of the series will take place at The Rose Bowl, Southampton on July 11. Iyer will look to end the losing streak and register his first win as captain.