After India’s defeat in the fourth T20I against England, former Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has suggested two changes to the playing XI for the fifth and final match of the series in Southampton on Saturday, July 11. India were beaten by nine wickets in Bristol on Thursday, July 9, and with the series already decided, the final game now offers the team a chance to test combinations before bigger challenges ahead.
During a discussion on JioHotstar, Parthiv said India should bring in Suryansh Shedge in place of Washington Sundar to strengthen the bowling balance. He felt that this move would allow India to operate with four proper bowlers while also using Shivam Dube and Shedge as part-time options. According to him, the team needs more flexibility in its attack, especially when the top order has not delivered enough runs.
“If Sanju Samson has to come into the team, in whose place should he come? I would actually make two changes. One is that I would give Suryansh Shedge a spot in the team in place of Washington Sundar so that you have four bowlers, and Shivam Dube and Shedge can bowl two overs apiece for you,” Parthiv Patil said.
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On the batting front, Parthiv felt that Tilak Varma would have to make way for Sanju Samson if India want to fit the wicketkeeper-batter back into the side. Tilak has struggled in the ongoing England series, scoring just 11 runs off eight balls in the fourth T20I, while Samson has already been left out of the last three matches after three consecutive failures.
“In whose place will Sanju Samson come? Unfortunately, I feel the vice-captain will have to be dropped because, if you want the combination, Sanju Samson can come in place of Tilak Varma,” he added.
Former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim also joined the discussion and questioned the need for appointing a vice-captain in T20 cricket. In his view, the shortest format changes too quickly for a vice-captain to have a major tactical role.
“Why is the vice-captain appointed, by the way? A vice-captain is not required in T20s,” Saba Karim said. “T20 is a format where your vision changes very quickly. You have to make a lot of changes in your preparation so that you remain in sync with the modern T20 game.”
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Parthiv later added that dropping Tilak Varma for the final match would not mean India had moved on from him completely. He pointed to Axar Patel’s example in the T20 World Cup 2026, when the vice-captain was rested for a match despite being part of the leadership group. In Parthiv’s view, the priority is to get the right combination for the moment rather than focus too heavily on labels or roles.
Tilak Varma has scored 1,515 runs in 52 T20I innings at an average of 42.08, but his recent form against England has been below par, with just 51 runs in four innings at an average of 17.00.
