Defeat in Nottingham would give England an unassailable lead in the five-match series as the heavily scrutinized Indian side is still trying to figure out who it is under the new captain.
The transition has not been smooth. Iyer has yet to register a win as India’s T20I captain, while his struggles return to cricket, having won the last ten T20 matches as captain. A major concern for India was their lack of success overseas, where batsmen do not look very good against the sport.
The second T20I summed up the challenges facing India now. They posted 190 runs but failed to defend despite having enough runs on the board. Their call to action also came under the scanner. The decision to bat first was made in the hope that the format would be consistent throughout the game, but England adapted well to the changing conditions.
The bowling combination also raised questions. India opted to field three all-rounders, a move that left them short of options at the death. Ravi Bishnoi endured a forgettable outing, struggling for rhythm and conceding heavily in the final over as England seized the chase. His performance has opened the door to possible changes, with the management considering adding a seamer or bringing in an all-rounder to improve the XI.
There is, however, one good India hopes to carry on. Fifteen-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showcased his immense talent on debut and will be eager to convert that promise into meaningful innings as the series reaches its climax.
England, meanwhile, arrive at Trent Bridge with strength on their side. Harry Brook’s captaincy has made an encouraging start, as the batting line-up continues to pile on the pressure. Jacob Bethell’s unbeaten 76 in Manchester showed the depth of England’s middle order, and Sam Curran proved his worth again by finishing the chase with authority.
Further down the list, England’s leadership remains a fascinating field. After Ben Stokes retired from international cricket, Brook emerged as a contender for the Test captaincy. A successful series against the reigning world champions could further boost his reputation and strengthen the ECB’s confidence in Brook’s leadership partnership with head coach Brendon McCullum.
Playing England XI: Philip Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Harry Brook (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue
