‘I feel the time has come’: Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy questioned after series loss to England | Cricket news

India’s new T20I captain Shreyas Iyer has come under increasing scrutiny after suffering defeats in his first two series in charge. Appointed captain ahead of the Ireland and England tours, Iyer is still looking for his first win as captain, with a string of defeats in India raising questions about his on-field tactics and decision-making.Former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Saba Karim questioned Shreyas Iyer’s tactical decisions. “I feel the time has come for Shreyas Iyer to assert himself as captain. The tactical captaincy that we have seen from him in the IPL has not yet 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 batsmen, held his own.“For example, when he was batting in the middle, Shivam Dube came in at number five. I didn’t understand that decision. That is not the Shreyas Iyer we know from the IPL. Logically, if he was the captain in the IPL now, Tilak Varma would have come in at number five instead of Shivam Dube,” he said.Karim also highlighted the importance of leadership and communication during pressure situations, saying that a captain’s influence goes beyond tactical decisions.“When you are batting in the middle as a captain, the messages you send to your partner are very important. It may take time for him to grow into the role,” he added.

Shreyas Iyer’s consolation win for India as England chase a clean sweep

India will look to salvage some pride when they take on England in the fifth and final T20I at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton on Saturday. The hosts have already sealed the five-match series with an elusive 3-0 lead after a dominant nine-wicket win in Bristol, leaving Shreyas Iyer’s side desperate to avoid a series defeat.