Former India cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Gautam Gambhir showed their unhappiness after pacer Arshdeep Singh bowled five no-balls during Team India’s 16-run defeat against Sri Lanka in the second T20I at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Thursday (January 5).
Arshdeep conceded 37 runs in his 2 overs while bowling 5 no-balls in all, while Umran Malik (3/48) and Shivam Mavi (0/53) each bowled one no-ball, as Sri Lanka went on to post a good total of 206/6.
Despite the best efforts from Suryakumar Yadav (51) and Akshar Patel (65) and a cameo by Shivam Mavi (26), India could only manage 190/8 and lost the game by 16 runs and Sri Lanka leveled the series 1-1.
After the match, Gavaskar said that Indian bowlers, being professionals, can’t bowl so many no-balls in a match, while Gambhir shocked to see Arshdeep bowling as many as five no-balls and suggested the young pacer go back to domestic cricket and get his rhythm back.
Sunil Gavaskar said on Star Sports: “As a professional, you can't be doing this. We often hear that today's players say, things aren't in our control. Not bowling no ball is in your control. What happens after you deliver the ball, what the batsman does, is another thing. Not bowling a no ball is definitely in your control.”
Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir said: “Imagine bowling 7 no balls is like bowling an extra over, 21 overs. More importantly, it's not about those bad balls, everyone bowls bat balls, and everyone plays bad shots. It's about the rhythm. If you are coming back after a long injury layoff, you shouldn't be playing an international game. You should go back to domestic cricket and get your rhythm back. Because no balls are not acceptable.”
The former opener continued, “That's where the problem is. Those who are injured and have a long layoff should play domestic cricket and get back their rhythm and return to international cricket. That's what we clearly saw when Arshdeep was struggling with his rhythm.”
He concluded, “This is not acceptable. You might be doing it in the nets. That's why you're doing it in the match. The bowling coach should work on this. You should be tough in the practice sessions as well. You can't blame it on something else. 7 no-balls, conceding 30 odd runs in those balls made a massive difference.”
The third and final T20I will be played in Rajkot on January 7.
(Star Sports inputs)
