India vs England 3rd T20I Live Score: Shreyas Iyer’s India to take on Harry Brook’s England at Trent Bridge

Defeat in Nottingham would give England an undisputed advantage in the five-match series while further heightening scrutiny on an Indian side still searching for its identity under a new captain.

The transition was anything but smooth. Iyer is yet to register a win as India’s T20I captain and his struggles can be traced back to franchise cricket, where he has won just one of the last 10 completed T20 matches as captain. Of greater concern for India is their inability to maintain consistent performances in overseas conditions, where the batting line-up has looked less fluid against a disciplined bowling attack.

The second T20I summed up India’s current predicament. They posted a competitive 190 but failed to defend the title despite scoring enough runs. Their tactical calls also came under the scanner. The decision to bat first was to keep the surface consistent throughout the match, but as conditions changed England adapted better.

Questions have also been raised about the bowling combination. India opted to field three specialist spinners, a move that left them no choice at the death. Ravi Bishnoi had a forgettable game, struggling for pace and conceding the ball badly in the final stages of the game as England took control of the chase. His performance opens the door for a possible reshuffle, with the management possibly looking at adding an extra seamer or bringing in an all-round option to improve the balance of the eleven.

However, there is one positive aspect that India hopes to capitalize on. 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi showed his immense talent on debut and he will be keen to convert that promise into a decisive innings as the series enters a crucial phase.

Meanwhile, England arrive at Trent Bridge with determined momentum. An encouraging start to Harry Brook’s captaincy and the batsmen continued to perform well under pressure. Jacob Bethell’s unbeaten 76 in Manchester highlighted the depth of England’s middle-order, while Sam Curran once again proved his worth by finishing the chase with authority.

Beyond the series, England’s leadership remains an interesting subplot. With Ben Stokes retiring from international cricket, Brooke has emerged as the leading contender for the Test captaincy. A successful series against the reigning world champions will further strengthen his credentials and bolster the ECB’s confidence in the partnership led by Brooke and head coach Brendan McCullum.

England starting lineup: Philip Salter, Jos Butler (wk), Harry Brooke (c), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Josh Tonge