Team India suffered a convincing 21-run defeat in the opening T20I against New Zealand in Ranchi on Friday (January 27).

Chasing 177 to win, the Men in Blue were reduced to 15/3 inside the powerplay. While the likes of Suryakumar Yadav (47 off 34 balls) and Washington Sundar (50 off 28 balls) produced good knocks, they couldn’t take the hosts over the line.

After the game, India's left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh came under the scanner for his expensive last over, in which he conceded 27 runs.

The over started with a six off a no-ball followed by two more sixes and a four as Arshdeep registered an unwanted record of bowling the most expensive final over by an Indian in T20Is to his name.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar wasn’t pleased with Arshdeep’s performance as he pointed out that the youngster didn’t try out yorkers in the opening T20I.

“Arshdeep wasn’t much effective today. He has been known for those wide yorkers that trouble the batters but today, he bowled mostly in the slot. I think he needs to think about his bowling a bit and make decisions wisely. It’s a journey. You may have a good start but there will be games where your skillsets will be tested. It depends upon you how much you believe in yourself and work on the basics. If he works on these factors, he might come out as a better bowler,” Bangar said in a discussion on Star Sports.

During the first T20I against Sri Lanka earlier this month, Arshdeep had bowled three no-balls in an over and four throughout the innings.

Ex-India batter Mohammad Kaif, who was also a part of the discussion, suggested Arshdeep to shorten his run-up to rectify his no-ball errors.

“Arshdeep has a longer run-up which itself means he might face stepping issues. He’s also wasting energy there. So, the main reason behind those over-stepped no-balls is his long run-up. And as he changes side too much, sometimes round the wicket, sometimes over. So, he needs to work on the basics and stay a bit relaxed. He is a good bowler but didn’t have a great day,” Kaif stated.

Bangar also endorsed Kaif's views and said, “Like Kaif said, his run-up is longer than required. A bowler needs to figure that out. I you are a progressing fast-bowler and don’t have much power in the body, then run from a longer distance to create momentum.”

The second T20I between India and New Zealand will be played in Lucknow on Sunday (January 29).