Shreyas Iyer admits harsh truth after England seal series; reveals what went horribly wrong

Harry Brook and Phil Salt dominated Indian bowlers and smashed them for sixes and fours.

Updated on: Jul 10, 2026, 08:30:29 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Shreyas Iyer was left disappointed in Bristol as India crumbled to a nine-wicket defeat in the fourth T20I as England sealed the series 3-0, with a game to spare. He is still searching for his first win as India's T20I skipper, since taking over the reins in June this year.

Shreyas Iyer spoke about India's performance in the fourth T20I. (AFP)

He has excelled in winning tosses, but hasn't been able to lead India past the finishing line. India somehow managed to post 158/7 in 20 overs, only due to Iyer's batting. But it wasn't enough as England cruised to 159/1 in 13.5 overs.

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"Again, it was a disappointing one. 158 wasn't the perfect total on the board. Eventually, we saw how quickly they chased it down," he said, after the match.

‘I think we fell a bit short in terms of our execution’

India's bowling was also poor, despite Arshdeep Singh's early dismissal of Jos Buttler. Shivam Dube leaked 15 runs in the 10th over, and Brook and Salt hammered Axar Patel for 19 runs in the ninth over. Washington Sundar was also clobbered for 19 runs in the eighth over. Meanwhile, Prince Yadav and Prasidh Krishna were hammered for 15 runs each in the fourth and fifth overs, respectively.

"When we came onto bowling, I just asked our bowlers to repeat the lengths as much as possible because top of middle-stump and leg-stump, it was very difficult to hit and score boundaries off that. So I think we fell a bit short in terms of our execution. And, yeah, we saw that when we were changing the pace, when we were trying something else, they scored off those loose balls," said Iyer.

In the first innings, India lost plenty of wickets, but Iyer stood tall, slamming 80* off 49 balls. "Definitely happy with my performance, but see, if it's not on the winning cause, it just goes to the side. So disappointed in that aspect because whenever I play, I want to perform and see to it that my team wins. But unfortunately, today wasn't that day. Definitely look forward to the next game," he said.

For India, it is also a transition phase, and even Iyer knows that he needs to be patient.

"Absolutely. See, this is the transition phase and we will be making lot of mistakes. You see a lot of youngsters playing here in these conditions for the first time. So mistakes will definitely make them realize how important it is to adapt and have that awareness when you come in the overseas conditions," he said.

"It's important that you learn quickly from your mistakes so that the team also benefits eventually out of it. And I'm sure that there are quick learners in the team. I'm sure they will assess themselves and get back stronger in the next game," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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