India captain Shreyas Iyer admitted his team was thoroughly outplayed after England inflicted the heaviest defeat by runs in India's T20I history with a crushing 125-run victory at Trent Bridge on Tuesday.
The reigning T20 world champions were overwhelmed by England's pace attack as Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue dismantled the batting lineup after the hosts posted a formidable 201-7, built around Phil Salt's 70. India were bundled out for just 76 in under 12 overs, barely surpassing Salt's individual score.
Archer and Tongue consistently exceeded 90 mph (145 kmh), using the new ball to devastating effect as they tore through India's top order.
Tongue returned career-best figures of 4-28, while Archer claimed 3-29 to hand England a 2-0 lead in the five-match series with two matches remaining after the opening fixture was washed out.
The defeat eclipsed India's previous biggest loss by runs in T20 internationals, an 80-run defeat against New Zealand in Wellington in 2019.
It also came on the back of India's unexpected 2-0 series defeat to Ireland in Belfast last month.
Reflecting on the performance, Iyer did not hide his disappointment.
"It was atrocious," Iyer told Sky Sports "I can't use a better word. Losing by such a big margin isn't acceptable."
"Hard lengths helped the bowlers on this wicket, but we didn't execute many. When you're chasing, you have to set patterns for how to chase.
"We fell short, our execution was awful," he added.
England captain Harry Brook praised his side's batting effort, singling out Salt's contribution after the opener laid the platform for a commanding total.
"Salty played a mega innings... To get to 200 on a tricky surface was a phenomenal effort."
Brook also credited his bowling attack for executing a simple but effective plan during India's chase.
"We didn't need to talk much before the chase, the bowlers knew exactly what we needed to hit the top of the stumps with the occasional bouncer. As simple as it sounds, it worked beautifully tonight."
India's innings unravelled rapidly after Archer tested teenage opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi with a 90 mph bouncer. Although the 15-year-old responded by somehow hooking the next delivery for six over gully, England remained firmly in control.
Tongue's opening spell began with two deliveries disappearing for boundaries, but the momentum quickly shifted as England ripped through the batting order.
Abhishek Sharma was caught at deep point after flashing at a delivery, Sooryavanshi gloved Archer behind while attempting another attacking stroke against a bouncer, and Ishan Kishan picked out Jacob Bethell with a flat pull shot.
Archer then removed Iyer and Axar Patel, reducing India to 52-5 inside five overs and effectively ending the contest.
Tilak Varma was stumped off Will Jacks before Tongue struck twice more on his Nottinghamshire home ground, dismissing Shivam Dube and then Harshit Rana, who was brilliantly caught by Tom Banton diving at backward point.
Leg-spinner Adil Rashid claimed the final two wickets as India, despite winning the toss, narrowly avoided recording their lowest-ever T20I total of 74.
Earlier in the evening, Jos Buttler contributed 36 before Prince Yadav clean bowled him with a superb inswinging yorker.
After a measured start, Salt shifted gears against Varun Chakravarthy, smashing a long hop for six before following it with three consecutive boundaries on his way to a 36-ball half-century. Sam Curran's unbeaten 41 provided the finishing flourish to England's innings.
England now have the chance to wrap up the series with victory in the fourth T20 at Bristol on Thursday.
Despite the heavy defeat, Iyer insisted his side would look to bounce back.
"It's a great opportunity to come back strong, not to dwell on what has happened in the past. We've played awful cricket but (there is) lots to learn as well."
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