Team India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has come out in strong support of Shreyas Iyer after the side suffered back-to-back T20I series defeats. With criticism growing after India’s latest loss to England, ten Doeschate said the team management is looking at the bigger picture and building toward future ICC tournaments rather than reacting to every short-term setback. India suffered a nine-wicket defeat in the fourth T20I at the County Ground in Bristol on Thursday, July 9, giving England an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

The loss also meant India has now endured consecutive bilateral T20I series defeats for the first time since 2019, having earlier gone down 2-0 against Ireland. Despite the disappointing results, ten Doeschate defended the decision to move on from Suryakumar Yadav as captain and back Shreyas Iyer for the long term. He explained that when a team is planning two years ahead, especially with the 2028 T20 World Cup in mind, difficult calls become unavoidable.

“When you’re in this position of managing or even just coaching a team like India, you have to forward plan as well. 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,” Ryan ten Doeschate said.

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He acknowledged that the immediate optics of India’s recent defeats are not ideal, but urged fans and observers to view the situation in context. According to him, the transition to a new captain, coupled with the absence of several senior players, has made the challenge even harder.

“There’s going to be a million opinions about it. The immediate backlash of transitioning to a new captain, then losing two games against Ireland and being 3-0 down in the series in England… I get that the optics of that aren’t very good,” he said. Ryan en Doeschate also pointed out that key all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah have not been available, which has affected the team’s overall balance and ability to execute plans in high-pressure moments.

“I also think it’s important to look at things holistically. Hardik and Jasprit make a big difference to the team. We’ve got a different squad here with slightly different weapons,” he added. The assistant coach said India are satisfied with the way Iyer has handled the captaincy so far and believes the right-hander needs time to settle into the role. He praised Iyer for leading from the front with the bat and for taking responsibility even during difficult stretches.

“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 as well. I think he’s started really well, leading from the front with the bat,” ten Doeschate said.

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After winning the toss in Bristol, India posted 158/7 in 20 overs, with Iyer scoring an unbeaten 80 off 49 balls, including four fours and five sixes. Shivam Dube was the only other batter to pass 20, contributing 22 off 23 balls. England then chased down the 159-run target in just 13.5 overs, with Harry Brook smashing an unbeaten 79 off 35 balls and Phil Salt adding 59 not out off 42.

Arshdeep Singh removed Jos Buttler early, but England still completed the chase with 37 balls to spare. The defeat also meant Shreyas Iyer became the first Indian captain to lose five consecutive T20Is, while India ended the match having set nine unwanted records in the series.