Hardik Pandya didn’t mince any words when he lamented the “crime” committed by 23-year-old Arshdeep Singh of bowling not one, but 5 no-balls, which played a big part in India’s loss in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Pune.
Overall, the Indian pacers bowlers 7 no-balls in total – 5 by Arshdeep and one each by Umran and Mavi. 7 no-balls by India is the most number of no-balls bowled in a T20I innings by a Full Member nation. Arshdeep himself created an unwanted, embarrassing record: his 5 front foot no-balls are the most for any bowler in a men’s T20I.
In the end, all these no-balls combined to cost India the game: the no-ball penalties and free hits cost India 27 runs while their margin of their loss was 16!
Skipper Hardik Pandya was severe in his assessment of the “crime” from young Arshdeep. On one of his no-balls, Arshdeep even had Dasun Shanaka caught at long-on, but the Sri Lankan captain was given a life as the bowler had overstepped, and Shanaka made India pay for their mistakes.
“It’s not about blaming but it is simple cricket. In world cricket, or any T20 cricket you play, no-ball is a crime. Not to be too hard on him but at the same time he needs to go back and see that these are the basic errors which he should not be making at this level,” Pandya said in the post-match presentation.
Manish Pandey slams Hardik Pandya for his comments on Arshdeep
Hardik Pandya’s severe criticism of Arshdeep hasn’t gone down well with the fans. BBC journalist Manish Pandey took to Twitter to remind that even Pandya as a youngster used to bowl no-balls, and it cost India during the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final against West Indies. In that game, Pandya had got the wicket of Lendl Simmons on a no-ball as he overstepped and Simmons helped West Indies win the semi-final.
‘“Not blaming” but actually does blame a youngster in public and calls it “a crime”,’ journalist Manish Pandey tweeted.
‘A fan of Hardik Pandya and his captaincy style in general, but maybe he should remember his own history with overstepping & how it cost India a World Cup semi-final… #INDvSL’
“Not blaming” but actually does blame a youngster in public and calls it “a crime”.
A fan of Hardik Pandya and his captaincy style in general, but maybe he should remember his own history with overstepping & how it cost India a World Cup semi-final… #INDvSL https://t.co/WZwsBorZ8B pic.twitter.com/lVM1xNWsdy
— Manish Pandey (@_ManishPandey) January 5, 2023
