Vice-captain of Team India T20I Tilak Varma reflected on the challenges that contributed to India’s disappointing back-to-back T20I series defeats against Ireland and England, insisting the team remains focused on learning from the setbacks and regaining momentum.The reigning T20 World Cup champions endured a forgettable tour of the British Isles in July 2026, managing just one win in the entire 10-match trip while suffering back-to-back bilateral series defeats in Ireland and England. India also failed to register a single win in the T20I leg of the tour.
“The conditions in England were a great challenge”
Ahead of India’s upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, Tilak admitted that adapting to overseas conditions after playing mainly in Asia over the past two years has proved to be a major challenge. He also supported the captain Shreyas Iyerstress the importance of staying calm under pressure and maintaining a positive environment within the team.“Honestly, Shreyas Iyer leads a team of champions, so obviously there is always the responsibility. At the same time, Ireland and England offer completely different conditions. For the last two years, we have played mainly in Asia, and then suddenly we have to compete in overseas conditions against a very strong England side, which we have already seen in the World Cup in a quality semi-final. Naturally there were also expectations,” said Tilak in a video shared by the BCCI on X.
“Results come and go, we need to stay positive”
The left-handed batsman stressed that the team has learned valuable lessons from the tour and is determined to give back by creating the right atmosphere in the dressing room.“In these situations, you must stay calm under pressure and create positive energy in the team. It is our mindset. The results will go up and down, but what is important is how we build a good environment and each individual returns. It is only a matter of a match or a series. The last series was a good learning experience, and now we want to carry out those learnings and return the momentum,” he added.
India’s tour of Zimbabwe
| Match | dates | Time (IST) | come on |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st T20I | Thursday, July 23 | 4:30 p.m | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
| 2nd T20I | Saturday, July 25 | 4:30 p.m | Harare Sports Club, Harare |
| 3rd T20I | Sunday, July 26 | 4:30 p.m | Harare Sports Club, Harare |