India’s struggles in the ongoing T20I series against England continued after suffering a comprehensive nine-wicket defeat in the fourth match at Bristol on Thursday. The loss handed England an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series after the hosts comfortably chased down India’s modest total of 158/7 with 37 balls to spare.
Following the disappointing performance, former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim raised concerns over the team’s batting strategy. Speaking during a discussion on JioHotstar, Karim questioned several tactical decisions made by the Indian think tank, particularly the decision to promote Shivam Dube after the early collapse instead of sending a batter better suited to rebuilding the innings.
Karim felt India abandoned their attacking plans after losing three early wickets and failed to make proper use of the batting depth available in the squad. He argued that Dube’s role is that of a specialist power-hitter rather than someone expected to rebuild an innings in difficult conditions.
According to Karim, Dube should ideally bat during the closing overs, where his ability to clear the ropes and score at a strike rate approaching 200 can have the maximum impact. Instead, India sent him in at No. 5 with the score at 48/3 in the seventh over, a phase where the innings required stability alongside calculated aggression.
“You promoted Shivam Dube, but what was his job? His job was to go and play big shots. Why is Shivam Dube in the team? His role is of a power hitter,” Karim said.
The former selector also questioned why vice-captain Tilak Varma was not promoted instead, suggesting he was better equipped to absorb pressure and build an innings alongside Shreyas Iyer.
India fail to recover after early collapse
India’s innings never fully recovered after losing three wickets inside the Powerplay. While Iyer held one end firmly with an unbeaten 80 off 49 deliveries, the visitors struggled to maintain momentum from the other end.
Dube managed just 22 runs from 23 balls, an innings that further slowed India’s progress during the middle overs. Karim believed the batting order could have been managed more effectively, with Tilak taking responsibility for consolidation while preserving Dube’s finishing role for the final overs.
England made light work of the 159-run target, chasing it down with nine wickets in hand to seal the series. The result has intensified scrutiny over India’s tactical decisions, with the team management likely to reassess its batting strategy ahead of the final T20I.
