Sports
‘Don’t Be Fooled by the IPL…’: Hanuma Vihari Sounds Alarm After India’s 4-0 T20I Humiliation Against England
The former India batter questioned Team India’s approach after the heavy series defeat, saying the IPL cannot be used as a benchmark for success in overseas conditions.
Former India cricketer Hanuma Vihari has delivered a strong assessment of Team India following their disappointing 4-0 T20I series defeat against England, warning that the success of players in the Indian Premier League (IPL) should not be mistaken for readiness in international cricket.
India endured a miserable tour in the shortest format, losing six of their seven scheduled matches across Ireland and England. The only game they avoided losing was the rain-affected fixture at Chester-le-Street, which ended without a result. The poor campaign also saw England overtake India to claim the No. 1 spot in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings.
Reacting to the series, Vihari said the batting unit failed to adjust to overseas conditions and insisted that performances in the IPL do not always translate into success on the international stage.
According to him, IPL matches are played on flatter pitches with smaller boundaries and under the Impact Player rule, making batting considerably easier than in challenging conditions abroad. He argued that judging players solely on IPL performances could create a misleading picture of their preparedness for international cricket.
Vihari Highlights the Value of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Vihari also pointed to the absence of senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, suggesting their experience could have made a significant difference during the series.
He questioned whether the experienced duo would have fallen to the short-ball tactics that troubled India’s batters throughout the tour. Calling the result an “alarm bell,” Vihari stressed that losing six out of seven matches cannot be dismissed as an isolated setback.
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Questions Raised Over Captaincy and Team Selection
The former batter also expressed concerns about India’s leadership decisions.
Vihari questioned the appointment of Shreyas Iyer as T20I captain, pointing to his recent record in the format and asking whether the squad selection reflected the captain’s choices or the vision of head coach Gautam Gambhir.
He argued that if a captain is expected to deliver results, they should also have substantial influence over team selection. In his view, only then is it fair to evaluate the captain’s performance based on the team’s results.
Focus Shifts to the ODI Series
With the T20I disappointment now behind them, India will look to make a fresh start in the three-match ODI series against England beginning on July 14.
The return of experienced players and the change in format provide an opportunity for the visitors to rebuild confidence after a difficult tour. However, Vihari’s remarks have added to the growing debate over India’s team selection, leadership, and whether IPL performances are being given too much weight when picking the national side.
The upcoming ODI series now offers India the perfect chance to respond on the field and silence the criticism following one of their toughest T20I tours in recent years.
