Hardik Pandya and the rest of the team conceded seven no-balls, resulting in seven free-hits for Sri Lanka. Pacer Arshdeep Singh delivered a nine-ball over and conceded three consecutive no-balls, resulting in a total of 19 runs. This error provided momentum for Sri Lanka’s innings. In a further shock to fans, Arshdeep also bowled two no-balls in the 19th over, resulting in an eight-ball over and 18 runs conceded. One no-ball each from pacers Shivam Mavi and Umran Malik further hurt India’s chances as Sri Lanka set a high target.
Gautam Gambhir said that Arshdeep shouldn’t have played the match in the first place as he was returning from an injury. The former Indian opener suggested he should have played a domestic game to get back his rhythm and then be selected for India.
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“Imagine seven balls, it’s like bowling more than 21 overs. Everyone bowls bad balls or plays bad shots but it’s about the rhythm. If you are coming after an injury, you should not be playing an international game,” said Gambhir.
“You should be going to domestic cricket and getting your rhythm back because no-balls are not acceptable. Whoever is injured and there is a long layoff, he has to go back to domestic cricket, bowl 15-20 overs, come back and then play an international game, and that was squarely seen when Arshdeep Singh was struggling with his rhythm,” he added.
On Thursday, Team India suffered a defeat by 16 runs against Sri Lanka in the second T20I of the three-match series.