Key facts
- India lost by 125 runs — their worst-ever T20I defeat
- Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue led England's attack
- Harshit Rana sent to bat in powerplay, drawing criticism
- Defeat described as a new low under coach Gautam Gambhir
India slumped to their worst-ever T20I defeat on Tuesday night, losing by 125 runs to England in the third match of the series — a result that sets an unwanted new record for the team in the shortest format of the game.
Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue were the chief architects of England's triumph, wreaking havoc through India's batting order and leaving the tourists in tatters. The scale of the defeat prompted sharp criticism from pundits, with former wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik publicly losing his cool after India controversially sent Harshit Rana to bat during the powerplay — a decision that drew widespread bewilderment.
The loss has been described as an "abject surrender" and a new low under head coach Gautam Gambhir, whose tenure continues to attract scrutiny. India's batting lineup offered little resistance, and the manner of the collapse will concern selectors and fans alike heading into the remainder of the tour.
The defeat arrives just as India's squad dynamics are already in flux — Sanju Samson has been dropped from the squad, with Ashok Sharma, Yash Thakur, and Prabhsimran Singh earning maiden call-ups for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour. The record loss will intensify debate around selection, strategy, and the team's readiness across formats.