After missing the first T20I in Mumbai due to illness, Arshdeep, who now plays for India, struggled mightily in Pune. In only two overs against Sri Lanka, he let up 37 runs, and in his first over of the game, he even conceded three consecutive no-balls.

“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,” said Gavaskar when he was on his commentary duty for broadcasters Star Sports.

Arshdeep last played for India in a white-ball tour of New Zealand in November 2022. Hardik Pandya, the captain, was unimpressed by him bowling no balls on a day when the youthful Indian bowling attack gave up 11 additional runs.

“You can have a good day, you can have a bad day, but you shouldn’t be moving away from the basics. For Arshdeep, in this situation, it is very difficult. It is not about blaming him or being too hard on him, but we know no-balls in any format is a crime,” Pandya said after the match ended.

On Twitter, though, seasoned wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik spoke out in favour of Arshdeep. “Arshdeep Singh’s lack of match practise must be felt for. It is never simple, “In a tweet, he stated.

The last match of the three-match T20I series between India and Sri Lanka will now take place at Rajkot’s SCA Stadium on Saturday.

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