Things continue to go from bad to worse for Shreyas Iyer as India lost the fifth and final T20I of the five-match series against England. The contest was played on Saturday, July 11, at The Rose Bowl in Southampton.
Asked to bat first, the hosts piled up a massive 257/3 in their 20 overs, with Jos Buttler top-scoring with 131 off 64 balls, including 12 fours and eight sixes. Captain Harry Brook remained unbeaten on 95 off 45 deliveries, smashing four fours and eight sixes.
In reply, Ishan Kishan (56 off 35) and Tilak Varma (53 off 25) struck half-centuries for the Men in Blue, while Shreyas Iyer contributed 28 off 16. However, their efforts were not enough as the visitors finished on 201/8 in 20 overs, losing by 56 runs and suffering a 4-0 series defeat. With the loss, England also dethroned India to become the No. 1-ranked T20I side.
After two series in charge, Shreyas Iyer is yet to register a win as India’s T20I captain. On that note, here’s a look at four captains from Full Member nations who remained winless in their first seven T20Is as skipper.
#1 Brendan Taylor
Former Zimbabwe skipper Brendan Taylor made a forgettable start to his T20I captaincy, losing each of his first seven matches in charge. Between 2011 and 2013, Zimbabwe suffered 10 consecutive defeats under his leadership, including four against New Zealand, two each against Pakistan and the West Indies, and one apiece against Sri Lanka and South Africa.
Taylor eventually registered his maiden T20I win as captain in his 11th match in charge against Bangladesh on May 11, 2013, as Zimbabwe defended 168 to secure a six-run victory. He last captained Zimbabwe in T20Is in 2021 and has led the side in 18 matches overall, winning four and losing 14.
#2 Elton Chigumbura
Another Zimbabwean on the list is former all-rounder Elton Chigumbura, who also endured a forgettable start to his T20I captaincy. He lost each of his first seven matches in charge, with Zimbabwe’s winless run under his leadership eventually extending to 13 games between 2010 and 2015.
Chigumbura finally registered his maiden T20I win as captain against Bangladesh on November 15, 2015, when Zimbabwe secured a three-wicket victory while chasing 136.
He retired from international cricket in November 2020. During his career, he captained Zimbabwe in 18 T20Is, winning two matches and losing 16.
#3 Thisara Perera
Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Thisara Perera also endured a forgettable spell as the team’s T20I captain. Between 2017 and 2018, he led the side in nine matches but failed to register a single victory, losing all nine.
Perera retired from international cricket in 2021. During his T20I career, he featured in 84 matches, scoring 1,204 runs, including three half-centuries with a best of 61, while also picking up 51 wickets.
#4 Shreyas Iyer
The latest addition to the list is Shreyas Iyer. The 31-year-old has led India in seven T20Is so far, suffering six defeats (two against Ireland and four against England), while one match ended in a no result. Consequently, he became the first India captain to go winless in his first seven T20Is in charge.
Shreyas Iyer will now look to turn things around later this month when India travel to Zimbabwe for a three-match T20I series, starting on July 23 in Harare.
Edited by Dev Sharma
