‘You should not be playing an international game’ – Former India captain lambasts Arshdeep Singh post poor bowling spell

Arshdeep Singh was criticized by Gautam Gambhir for bowling a lot of no balls and for not playing domestic cricket before making a long-overdue comeback to the national team. Arshdeep bowled two overs in the second T20I between India and Sri Lanka on January 5, Thursday, in Pune, conceding 37 runs with five no-balls. Hardik Pandya and company were given a daunting 207-run target by the Lankan Lions, who went on to win the game by 16 runs.

Gambhir was questioned about his thoughts on Arshdeep’s no-ball concerns during a post-match discussion on Star Sports. “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,” stated Gambhir.

Bowlers can bowl those shocking deliveries but this is not acceptable: Gambhir

The former Indian opener blamed Arshdeep’s irregular rhythm on a lack of match practice. “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, 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 opined.

In November of last year, Arshdeep played in an ODI match against New Zealand. He didn’t play in the first T20I against Sri Lanka because, according to reports, he wasn’t completely fit. Gambhir was also questioned about whether or not he was tough on his bowlers during his time as captain when they bowled no-balls.

“As I just mentioned, you can have a shocker. Fielders can have a shocker, batters can play bad shots, and bowlers can bowl those shocking deliveries but this thing is not acceptable. You might be doing it in the nets, during the practice sessions, that’s the reason you do it in the match as well,” he replied.

In his first over, Arshdeep bowled three consecutive no-balls, netting 19 runs. Dasun Shanaka received a lifeline when he was caught by Suryakumar Yadav on the long-on boundary off the first no-ball when he was summoned back to bowl the 19th over, but he overstepped twice there as well.