Gautam Gambhir has faced criticism after India’s T20I series loss against Ireland. India lost both matches in the two-match series. Ireland completed a whitewash against Shreyas Iyer’s team.
Sanjay Manjrekar criticised Gautam Gambhir’s strategy. He argued that India need a pure middle-order batter. He said India are playing too many all-rounders under Gambhir.
Manjrekar also discussed Shubman Gill during a panel discussion. He said Gill is the type of batter India need in challenging conditions. He noted that Gill had a good IPL and has played well overseas.
He said: “This series was always about beating the Irish conditions than the Ireland cricket team, India failed at that. Let’s see now what learnings India take into England.”
India will now play a T20I series against England starting July 1.
Iceland Cricket Trolls Gautam Gambhir After India Suffer Historic T20I Series Loss to Ireland
India suffered a 0-2 T20I series defeat against Ireland in Belfast. It was India’s first T20I series loss since 2023.
Ireland won the first match by 34 runs. They won the second match by 1 run. It was Ireland’s first-ever bilateral series win over India.
Iceland Cricket posted a sarcastic message on X. They said they do not wish to add Gautam Gambhir to their coaching staff. They said he clearly has talent but delivering those results in Ireland takes remarkable gifts.
India’s chase in the second match was damaged early. Jai Moondra dismissed Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma in the opening over. He also dismissed Shreyas Iyer soon after. India were 19 for 3. Tilak Varma scored a half-century. Harshit Rana played a late cameo but Ireland held on.
India did not give a debut to 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during the tour. His selection had created interest before the series. The management chose not to use him in either match.
India Face Selection Dilemma Over Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Ahead of England T20I Series
India face a selection dilemma ahead of the five-match T20 series against England starting July 1. The question is how to include 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the playing eleven.
Sooryavanshi did not play in either match against Ireland. The management stuck with the opening pair of Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma. Both players had performed well in the T20 World Cup.
Sunil Gavaskar said Sooryavanshi should have played against Ireland. He said India could have rotated the openers. He also said Sooryavanshi must play in the first game against England on July 1.
One option is to keep Samson and Abhishek as openers. Sooryavanshi could then bat at No. 3. Ishan Kishan would move to No. 4, Shreyas Iyer to No. 5, Tilak Varma to No. 6, Shivam Dube to No. 7 and Axar Patel to No. 8. This would mean dropping Suryansh Shedge.
Another option is to drop Samson. He had two first-ball ducks against Ireland. His technique was tested in bowler-friendly conditions. The team management must also consider bowling balance. Shivam Dube is not a frontline bowler. He would be a sixth bowling option at best.
India vs England 2026 White-Ball Series Ready for Takeoff
India’s tour of England begins on July 1. The team will play five T20Is followed by three ODIs. The tour ends with the final ODI at Lord’s on July 19.
The T20I matches are scheduled for July 1 at Chester-le-Street, July 4 at Manchester, July 7 at Nottingham, July 9 at Bristol and July 11 at Southampton. The ODI matches will be played on July 14 at Birmingham, July 16 at Cardiff and July 19 at Lord’s.
India are coming off a 2-0 series loss to Ireland. The team will look to bounce back against England. All eyes will be on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. He did not play against Ireland and could make his debut in England.
Shreyas Iyer will lead the T20I side. Suryakumar Yadav was dropped from the squad. Suryansh Shedge received a maiden call-up as a replacement for Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is injured. Prasidh Krishna replaced Mohammed Siraj.
For the ODI series, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah are back. They have been named in the ODI squad. The selection of Kohli depends on medical clearance. Harry Brook will captain England in the T20I series.
India have a strong record against England in both formats. In T20Is, India have won 18 of 30 matches. In ODIs, India have won 61 of 110 matches. India won the last T20I meeting between the two teams in the 2026 T20 World Cup semi-final by 7 runs. India also won the last ODI series 3-0 in February 2025.
All matches will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Network. Live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website.
FAQs
Q. Why has Gautam Gambhir faced criticism?
A. Because India lost both T20Is to Ireland, their first T20I series defeat since 2023.
Q. When does India vs England 2026 begin?
A. The tour starts on July 1 with the first of five T20Is. It will be followed by a three-match ODI series, ending on July 19 at Lord’s.
Q. Where can fans watch the series against England?
A. The matches will be shown live on Sony Sports Network.
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