India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has backed skipper Shreyas Iyer after the loss in Bristol in the 4th T20I against England on Thursday, July 9.
Iyer was appointed the captain of the side ahead of the T20I series against England and Ireland. He took over from Suryakumar Yadav, who had recently led the team to their third T20 World Cup triumph in 2026. Iyer's start to life at the helm has been rough, losing 0-2 to a spirited Ireland side, and currently trailing 0-3 to England. In six matches,
India have lost five, with the other clash being a washout.
Speaking of the transition from Suryakumar, ten Doeschate acknowledged the poor management of the optics, but defended the decision to look forward due to the player's age and the next T20 World Cup two years away.
“When you’re coaching a team like India, you have to forward-plan. Surya was a fantastic leader, but if you weigh up where he is age-wise and you’re looking ahead to two years down the line with Australia, you have to make some really tough calls. The optics aren’t very good," ten Doeschate said in the press conference after the first T20I, as reported by the Indian Express.
Iyer has been the top scorer in the England series, scoring 190 runs in four matches, striking at 155.73. He has scored two half-centuries and top-scored in Bristol with a 49-ball 80 as India put on 158 for 7. Ten Doeschate affirmed the need to give Iyer time to settle into the role and expressed his faith in the skipper to turn things around.
“We’ve got a different squad here with slightly different weapons. We also need to give Shreyas a little bit of time to grow into the role and for the players to adapt to his captaincy style. I’ve been really impressed with how he’s gone about things. He started really well, leading from the front with the bat, taking accountability and working tirelessly to make the improvements we’ve all been speaking about. I’m sure he’ll get his just rewards as his time as captain goes on," he added.
The fifth T20I will be played in Southampton on Saturday, July 11. India trails the series 0-3, having lost all three games after the first T20I was washed out.
