While India’s batting collapse was devastating, the decisions leading up to it have sparked a firestorm of criticism. Sanju Samson, the T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament, was dropped for the second consecutive match.[reference:10] India opted to retain the opening combination of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma, with Samson watching from the sidelines.[reference:11]

India head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed the growing debate, insisting Samson remains in the team’s plans despite his omission. “The first thing is that regarding the clarity Sanju Samson needed, he has been given that from my side. That’s a conversation strictly between the player and the head coach,” Gambhir said.[reference:12] He stressed that current form would continue to influence selection decisions. “There is no hard and fast rule that he cannot make a comeback in this series.”[reference:13]

However, Gambhir’s tactical decisions during the match drew even sharper criticism. With India reeling at 52/5 in the fifth over, the team management sent fast bowler Harshit Rana in to bat ahead of all-rounder Shivam Dube.[reference:14] The decision left commentator Dinesh Karthik absolutely livid.

“Harshit Rana coming to bat before Shivam Dube, are you kidding me? I don’t even think Harshit Rana has ever batted in the powerplay, even in domestic cricket,” Karthik said on commentary.[reference:15] “You can get the left-right combination working in T20 cricket, but only up to a point. Not Harshit Rana ahead of Shivam Dube.”[reference:16]

Karthik continued his tirade, questioning the management’s faith in Dube. “Do they (the team management) not trust Dube enough to send him in at this stage? Instead, they’ve promoted Harshit Rana ahead of him. I’m not sure that’s the right way to go about it.”[reference:17]

India won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit early movement at Trent Bridge. However, England’s openers started steadily. Jos Buttler looked in ominous touch, smashing 36 off 21 balls with four boundaries and two sixes before being yorked by Prince Yadav.[reference:19] The debutant seamer, who replaced the expensive Ravi Bishnoi, impressed with figures of 2/32.[reference:20]

Phil Salt anchored the innings with a gritty 70 off 44 balls, his innings laced with six fours and three sixes.[reference:21] He found support from Sam Curran, who provided the late impetus with an unbeaten 41 off 24 balls.[reference:22] Their 47-run partnership was the highest of the innings.[reference:23] England finished on 201/7 — a total that looked par on a true pitch with short boundaries.[reference:24]

India’s chase began with a blaze of hope. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the 15-year-old debutant, announced his intent with a stunning six off Archer’s second ball — a whip over his shoulder. He followed it with another maximum off Tongue, while Abhishek Sharma carved a full toss over cover. India had hit three sixes in the first nine balls of the innings; England at the same point had scored a single.[reference:25]

But the dream start quickly turned into a nightmare. The risk inherent in playing such shots against Archer and Tongue’s pace soon became apparent.[reference:26] Abhishek Sharma spooned a top edge to point, giving Tongue his maiden T20I wicket.[reference:27] Then Sooryavanshi was hurried by an Archer bouncer and gloved his fifth ball behind.[reference:28][reference:29] He departed for 13.[reference:30]

Ishan Kishan struck the fourth six of the innings in the next over — England didn’t hit as many until the 15th — but then pulled straight to deep backward square leg.[reference:31] One ball later, Shreyas Iyer picked out the same fielder with a flick.[reference:32] Axar Patel, promoted up the order, went dot, four, six, out — nicked off for Archer’s third — to leave India five down after five overs and as good as out of the contest.[reference:33]

It was the first time India have lost five wickets in the powerplay of a men’s T20 international.[reference:34] The rest was a procession. India were bowled out for 76 in just 11.4 overs — their second-lowest total in T20I history and their heaviest-ever defeat by 125 runs.[reference:35][reference:36]

The cricketing world reacted with shock and disbelief as India suffered their heaviest-ever T20I defeat. Here are the most notable reactions from players, experts, and commentators.

England have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series after the opening game was washed out.[reference:52] The fourth T20I will be played at the County Ground in Bristol on Thursday, July 9.[reference:53] India must win both remaining matches to draw the series.[reference:54]

The pressure is mounting on Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir. With India yet to win a T20I under the new captain-coach combination, the Bristol match has become a must-win for the team’s pride and the management’s credibility.