India's T20I series loss in Ireland attributed to ...

By Priya Nair — 29 June 2026 — 3 min read

India’s Preparation Questioned After Ireland Series

Former India cricketer Ambati Rayudu has stated that he was not surprised by India’s 0-2 T20I series defeat to Ireland. Rayudu attributed the loss to inadequate preparation for the challenging conditions encountered after the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. He highlighted that the transition from flat, batting-friendly IPL pitches to the slower, seaming wickets in Ireland proved difficult for the team.

According to Rayudu, the reigning T20 world champions, led by Shreyas Iyer, were under-prepared for the assignment. The team struggled to adapt to the conditions, which included spongy wickets with lateral movement. This difficulty was particularly evident in the second T20I, which India lost by just one run in Belfast on Sunday.

Rayudu, who played 55 ODIs and six T20Is for India, explained that many players are accustomed to fast bat-swings from the IPL. He noted that the control of the down-swing and the in-between game became a significant concern on the different surfaces. This shift in conditions exposed technical shortcomings within the batting unit, making it hard for players to adjust their game effectively.

Tilak Varma’s Batting Under Scrutiny

Rayudu specifically pointed out areas where India vice-captain Tilak Varma needs to improve. Despite Varma’s score of 55 in the second T20I, which came off 46 deliveries, Rayudu suggested that the knock did not provide the necessary momentum for the team. He emphasized that Varma’s struggles against slow bowling on slow surfaces have been evident for some time.

Rayudu clarified that Varma’s issues stem from technical limitations rather than his mental approach. He observed that whenever Varma encounters wickets where the ball does not come onto the bat well, he struggles to increase the tempo of his scoring. The former batter stressed that Varma needs to work on this aspect of his game.

The former Chennai Super Kings batter elaborated on Varma’s technique, noting that the left-hander tends to access the square boundaries more often against spinners. This approach requires the ball to come onto the bat effectively, which is not always the case on slower tracks. Rayudu suggested that Varma does not use his feet as much as needed and avoids sweeping on the pitch of the ball, limiting his scoring options.

Rayudu believes that if Varma improves these technical aspects, his ability to raise the tempo of the game would naturally follow as a by-product. He also acknowledged that Indian players often do not get sufficient time between series to work on their batting, which can contribute to their struggles when conditions are not in their favour.

Patience Advocated for Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Addressing the discussion surrounding 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Rayudu advised against rushing the youngster into the national side. Sooryavanshi, who made an impact in the IPL this year with a strike rate exceeding 230, is expected to make his debut during the ongoing tour of the UK.

Rayudu emphasized the importance of giving seasoned openers, who have performed well and contributed to World Cup victories, ample opportunities. He believes that Sooryavanshi’s current experience in the Indian team dressing room is valuable for his development, as he learns about the team environment, expectations, and his potential role.

The former international player stated that there are numerous lessons Sooryavanshi will gain from this tour, which will ultimately benefit him. However, he cautioned against fast-tracking the young talent into a bilateral series simply because the team did not win a couple of games. Sooryavanshi’s debut is anticipated at some point during the tour, which will move to England starting with T20Is on July 1.

Rayudu also offered his perspective on the upcoming matches, stating that he is not overly concerned about the loss to Ireland as the team heads into the five-match T20I series against England. He expects the wickets in England to be significantly better than those encountered in Ireland, which he believes will be more suitable for India’s batting style. The first T20I against England is scheduled for July 1, 2026, at 10:00 PM IST.