India head coach Gautam Gambhir has defended his young side after their record-breaking 125-run defeat to England in the third T20I, insisting the team's ongoing transition means patience will be required despite the disappointing results.
The loss at Trent Bridge was India's biggest-ever defeat in T20 internationals and handed England a 2-0 lead in the five-match series after the opening game was washed out.
Gautam Gambhir calls for better game awareness
Reflecting on the defeat, Gambhir admitted India failed to adapt to the conditions and believed some of the more experienced batters should have managed the chase better.
"I think that it is important to assess the conditions, no doubt about that," Gambhir said.
"But it is also important (to know) how to read the game. Breeze can play a huge
part as well. Sometimes one side where the dimensions are much bigger than the other side. So, these small things in a T20 game can make a huge difference. "
The India coach also questioned his side's batting approach, saying too many players opted for high-risk cricket instead of adjusting to the match situation.
"When everyone in a batting line-up starts playing high risk, high reward, sometimes these things can happen. Probably the middle order, the experienced guys who have played enough international cricket, need to adapt and probably play according to the situation as well. "
Compared batting collapse to World Cup-winning formula
Gambhir pointed to India's successful ICC Men's T20 World Cup campaign earlier this year, saying the team had struck a better balance between aggressive strokeplay and sensible batting.
"We did that during the World Cup as well. Our top three were firing and we wanted to play that high risk, high reward, but then we had (Nos.) 4 or 5 who were still able to build the innings and probably anchor the innings as well, and that is something that we lacked today. "
'Reset' means patience is needed
The India coach also reminded critics that the current squad is undergoing a transition following the T20 World Cup triumph.
He highlighted the presence of several inexperienced players, including 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Prince Yadav, who is only in his second T20I, and Harshit Rana, who has recently returned from injury.
"When you go for that reset, it takes a bit of time. If you see, a 15-year-old is opening, Prince Yadav is in his second T20I, Harshit Rana is coming back from an injury.
"We ultimately look only at results, and no doubt results are important in international cricket, but we have to be practical as well.
"Sometimes you give players time to develop. England is a high-quality side. If you put players in against such teams, you have to give them time to develop. Because after a reset, things take time. "
Gautam Gambhir clarifies Sanju Samson decision
Gambhir also addressed Sanju Samson's omission from India's plans after the wicketkeeper-batter was left out of the squad for the upcoming Zimbabwe series despite starring during India's T20 World Cup-winning campaign.
The head coach insisted Samson had been informed about the decision and stressed the door remains open for a return.
"I have already given clarity to Sanju Samson from my side," Gambhir said, adding that the details of their conversation would remain private.
"We are absolutely clear that Sanju, what he had done for India during the (T20) World Cup has been phenomenal, and sometimes you just have to look at the form as well of a certain player.
"And there is no hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series. "
India now head to Bristol for the fourth T20I on July 9 needing a victory to keep the five-match series alive.
