4th T20I: Reigning World Champions India Feeling The Heat After Ordinary Show, Says Dinesh Karthik

4th T20I: Reigning world champions India feeling the heat after ordinary show, says Dinesh Karthik (Image Source: IANS)

T20 World Champions: Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik on Thursday said that the reigning T20 World Champions are "feeling the heat" after a very ordinary performance in the ongoing series against England, adding that constant chopping and changing hasn’t really helped their cause.

After a shock 2-0 series defeat to Ireland, India are 2-0 behind in the five-game series and need a win to keep themselves alive. In their last game at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, India were bowled out for 76, their second-lowest total in men’s T20Is, and suffered a massive 125-run defeat.

"India have been very ordinary so far in this series, so there are a lot of questions being asked about the XI they are choosing, the players left out, the bowling changes, and, most importantly, the batting order. India will be feeling the heat.

“They are reigning world T20 champions and have set a certain standard for themselves that they are not standing up to. They are a side in transition, bringing in a lot of new faces and a new captain in Shreyas, so I believe they are focused on the ODI World Cup in 2027, and that T20 is about bringing youngsters in," said Karthik on Sky Sports Cricket.

Echoing Karthik's sentiments, England’s 2019 ODI World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan stated that the hosts have comprehensively outplayed India with their balanced approach and tactical discipline.

"India are wounded, and England are absolutely flying. They have batted with an element of temperament that has perhaps not been there before, and bowled with a huge amount of confidence that has put India on their backsides. Now it is about adapting to conditions.

"If England win the final two games of this series, they will go to world No 1, leapfrogging India, so that is a huge opportunity they can't take for granted. This format is becoming England's best numbers-wise," he added.

"India are wounded, and England are absolutely flying. They have batted with an element of temperament that has perhaps not been there before, and bowled with a huge amount of confidence that has put India on their backsides. Now it is about adapting to conditions.

"I don't think the England fast bowlers will get the bounce they got at Trent Bridge, but the line will be similar, into the rib cage. It is pretty clear they want India's batsmen to leave their driving licence in the dressing room."

Article Source: IANS