India captain Shreyas Iyer candidly acknowledged that poor bowling and crucial dropped catches proved costly as England registered a commanding victory in the fifth and final T20I at Southampton.
England posted a daunting 257/3, powered by a blistering partnership between Jos Buttler and Harry Brook, leaving India with an uphill task that ultimately proved too much.
Iyer Reflects on India’s Bowling Performance
Speaking after the match, Iyer said India’s bowlers could have varied their approach better on a batting-friendly surface.
“Yes, absolutely. On a wicket like this, we could have probably bluffed a little more. We also dropped a couple of catches, which probably cost us. We could have been chasing around 220-225, and that would have been a much more achievable target,” Iyer said.
He added that despite the disappointing result, the match offered valuable lessons for the team.
Dropped Chances Prove Costly
India’s fielding also came under scrutiny after multiple missed opportunities allowed England’s batters to extend their innings.
Harry Brook was dropped early in his innings by Shivam Dube before receiving another lifeline in the final over. Captain Jos Buttler also survived after Suryansh Shedge spilled a chance.
The missed opportunities enabled England to build a massive total and seize complete control of the contest.
Buttler and Brook Power England
After the early dismissal of Phil Salt, Buttler and Brook dominated the Indian attack with an aggressive batting display.
Buttler smashed 131 off 64 balls, including 12 fours and eight sixes, while Brook remained unbeaten on 95 from 45 deliveries, hitting four boundaries and eight sixes.
The duo punished nearly every Indian bowler, with several overs yielding more than 20 runs.
‘Great Learning for the Team’
Despite the defeat, Iyer praised England’s batting and described the series as an important learning experience.
“Buttler played a sensational innings, and Harry Brook changed the momentum after coming in. Their partnership steadied the innings. The dropped catches affected the rhythm of the game, but hopefully the boys will learn from this experience,” he said.
Reflecting on the tour, Iyer highlighted the importance of adapting to different playing conditions.
“There is a lot to take away from this series. Understanding the conditions, reading the wickets and adapting quickly are key. Every venue offered different challenges, and as professionals, we need to keep improving,” the India captain added.
With the T20I series concluded, India will now shift its focus to the upcoming ODI assignment against England.
