Former India captain Anil Kumble has urged the team management to resist making wholesale changes for the fourth T20I against England despite a disappointing run of results. With England holding an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series, Kumble believes India should continue backing the same playing XI, particularly vice-captain Tilak Varma, to build confidence and stability within the squad.
India suffered a crushing 125-run defeat in the third T20I after being bowled out for just 76 while chasing 202. Tilak Varma endured another forgettable outing, scoring only three runs off 11 deliveries, but Kumble insisted that one poor series should not prompt the team management to lose faith in a player they have entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
Speaking on JioHotstar, Anil Kumble said continuity is essential during a transition phase and argued that players need sustained backing to perform consistently at the highest level.
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“I don’t think you would want to make any changes. That’s how you build confidence. He is the vice-captain. You have given him a responsibility, and I feel he should just be given another opportunity,” Anil Kumble said.
The legendary spinner also felt India misjudged their bowling plans in Nottingham by focusing too much on the boundary dimensions instead of sticking to disciplined lines and lengths. According to Kumble, the bowlers targeted the larger side of the ground too early, allowing England’s batters to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
“It’s just a matter of building faith and reflecting on what could have been done better. I thought India looked too much at the boundary sizes and adjusted their plans accordingly instead of bowling to their strengths,” he explained.
Kumble further stressed that India must adapt quickly to the conditions in Bristol rather than reshuffling the batting order after every defeat. He believes maintaining defined batting roles will help players perform with greater clarity and confidence.
The former skipper also questioned India’s decision to promote Harshit Rana ahead of Shivam Dube during the run chase. While Axar Patel’s aggressive cameo at No. 5 briefly justified his promotion, Kumble felt sending a tailender ahead of an established all-rounder made little tactical sense when chasing a daunting total.
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“Sending Axar Patel once is understandable, but promoting Harshit Rana ahead of Shivam Dube while chasing 202 was expecting a miracle. That’s not the way to approach a chase of that magnitude,” Anil Kumble remarked.
India will now head to Bristol for the fourth T20I on July 9, hoping to register their first win of the series. Kumble believes consistency in selection, clearer batting roles and smarter tactical execution will be crucial if the visitors are to finish the tour on a positive note.
