New Delhi (Edit) – After falling behind 0-3 in the five‑match T20I series against England, India’s cricketing hierarchy faced mounting criticism. In a rare show of solidarity, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate threw his weight behind new captain Shreyas Iyer, urging pundits and fans alike to exercise patience.

Series Context

England clinched a nine‑wicket victory in Bristol, sealing their first bilateral T20I series win over India. Harry Brook and Phil Salt forged an unbeaten 146‑run partnership to chase down 159 runs with 37 balls to spare. The defeat marked India’s fifth loss in six T20Is under Iyer’s captaincy, following a surprising 2‑0 series loss in Ireland.

Ten Doeschate’s Reasoning

“When you manage a side like India, you have to think several years ahead,” Ten Doeschate said after the fourth match. He highlighted that while Suryakumar Yadav was a “fantastic leader,” age and succession planning demanded a difficult decision two years ago. The coach also pointed to recent squad changes – notably the inclusion of Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah – which altered the team’s balance and required the captain to adapt his leadership style.

Iyer’s Individual Brilliance

Despite the collective setback, Iyer shone with an unbeaten 80 off 49 balls in Bristol, accounting for more than half of India’s total. His innings underscored resilience against a disciplined English attack that had previously bowled India out for 76 in Nottingham – the side’s heaviest T20I defeat.

Looking Ahead

India now heads into the fifth and final T20I at Southampton’s Rose Bowl on July 11. With Ten Doeschate’s backing, Iyer will aim to restore confidence, while the team hopes to salvage pride and possibly turn the tide before the series concludes.