Last Update: January 06, 2023, 09:13 AM IST
Indian bowler Arshdeep Singh (BCCI photo)
So far, Arshdeep has bowled 14 no balls in 22 matches for India and has gone past Pakistan’s Hasan Ali (11) to take the top spot. West Indies bowlers Keemo Paul and Oshane Thomas have also bowled 11-11.
Arshdeep Singh was back in action after a short break, playing his first T20I of 2023 against Sri Lanka in Pune on Thursday. However, the outing proved to be a forgettable one for the left-arm pacer, who went on to hold a bizarre bowling record in the shortest format of the game.
The Punjab fast bowler conceded 37 runs in just 2 overs but the biggest thing was the number of no balls he bowled. Arshdeep bowled 5 no balls; Most by an Indian in a T20I innings. With this fearsome feat, he went past his previous four against South Africa. This is the joint-highest by a bowler from a Full Member nation with Keemo Paul of the West Indies.
Read this also | ‘Arshdeep needs to go back and…’ upset over poor bowling, Hardik Pandya said ‘no ball is a crime’
While Arshdeep bowled 5 no-balls, Umran Malik and Shivam Mavi conceded 1 each, taking the total to 7 in an innings by the Men in Blue. Thus, India Ireland (vs Oman) leveled the record, Afghanistan (vs Oman), and Sri Lanka (vs UAE) as full-time members to concede the most number of no balls in a T20I innings.
So far, Arshdeep has bowled 14 no balls in 22 matches for India and has gone past Pakistan’s Hasan Ali (11) to take the top spot. West Indies bowlers Keemo Paul and Oshane Thomas have also bowled 11-11.
An undisciplined bowling attack saw the Lankans post a massive 206 for 6 in 20 overs. In the 19th over, a no ball by Arshdeep took the wicket of the visiting captain Dasun Shanaka. But the latter took advantage of the opportunity and looted 20 runs in the last over. He scored an unbeaten 56 in 26 balls with the help of 2 fours and 6 sixes. Before Shanaka’s brilliant innings, wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis got the innings off to a brisk start with a 31-ball 52.
Read this also | Second T20: Sri Lanka beat India in a thrilling match, Akshar Patel’s bravery went in vain
Akshar (65 off 31) and Surya (51 off 36) started their chase on 57 off 57 before rekindling hopes of an improbable victory with a fine sixth-wicket partnership.
The task became tough after Surya’s departure in the 16th over, but Axar and Shivam Mavi (26 off 15) shared a 41-run partnership to bring the equation down to 21 in the last over.
But Akshar’s dismissal on the third ball of the final over was the last nail in the coffin for India.
(with agency inputs)
get the latest cricket news, Schedule And cricket live score here