Former India captain Anil Kumble criticised both the players and team management after India’s 125-run defeat to England in the third Twenty20 international, describing the batting display as an “abject surrender”.
India were bowled out for 76 while chasing 202 at Trent Bridge as England sealed the five-match series with two matches to spare.
“It was an abject surrender by the Indian team. You don’t expect a world champion side to cave in like that,” Kumble said on JioHotstar.
Kumble said India’s batters failed to show the patience required against England’s pace attack, led by Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue.
“The Indian batters needed to show more patience and application, but everyone just tried to attack instead of absorbing the pressure,” he said.
“Yes, the required rate was over 10, but someone had to take responsibility and bat deep. Instead, they went the aggressive route and paid the price with a batting collapse.”
Kumble also questioned the team’s batting order after Harshit Rana was promoted ahead of all-rounder Shivam Dube, with neither player making an impact.
“In T20 cricket, you put your best batters up front,” Kumble said.
“Sending out Harshit Rana to bat ahead of a more complete batter like Shivam Dube was wrong. You can’t expect a number eight guy to win you a game by sending him to bat ahead of a proven guy. That’s not how things work in modern-day cricket.”
The former leg-spinner also urged the team management to avoid frequent changes to the bowling attack, arguing that players needed time and backing to perform.
“The Indian team has made too many changes to its lineup, and that needs to stop. The bowlers keep changing,” Kumble said.
“Prasidh Krishna was dropped after one bad game against Ireland. Prince Yadav came in, bowled well, and picked three wickets in the second T20I, but India still lost that game.
“As a new captain, you need to stick with your five bowlers. Batters will score runs, but bowlers win you matches.
“When you pick players, you need to keep backing them. Ups and downs are part and parcel of life. They keep happening, but that doesn’t mean failures end up with you getting dropped from the squad.”
