India’s new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has come under increased scrutiny after suffering defeats in his first two series in charge. Appointed captain ahead of the tours of Ireland and England, Iyer is still looking for his first win as captain, with back-to-back defeats in India raising questions about his tactics and on-field decision-making.Former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim questioned Shreyas Iyer’s tactical decisions. “I feel the time has come for Shreyas Iyer to assert himself as a captain. The tactical captaincy we saw from him in the IPL has never been seen in international cricket,” Karim told JioHotstar.Karim was particularly critical of India’s batting order during the Bristol defeat, questioning Iyer’s decision to send Shivam Dube at No. 5 while Tilak Varma, one of India’s most consistent middle-order batters, was kept out.“For example, when he was batting in the middle, Shivam Dube walked in at number five. I don’t understand that decision. That is not the Shreyas Iyer we know from the IPL. Logically, if he was the captain of the IPL today, Tilak Varma would have walked at number five instead of Shivam Dube,” he said.Karim also stressed the importance of leadership and communication in pressure situations, saying that a captain’s influence goes beyond tactical decisions.“When you are in the middle as a captain, the messages you send to your partner are very important. It may take a while for him to grow into the role,” he added.
Shreyas Iyer’s India eye consolation win as England chase clean sweep
India will look to save their pride when they take on England in the fifth and final T20I at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton on Saturday. The hosts have sealed the five-match series with an unassailable 3-0 lead after a dominant nine-wicket win in Bristol, leaving Shreyas Iyer’s side desperate to avoid a back-to-back whitewash.