Cricket
Arshdeep Singh’s no-balls and their affect on India.
Bowling a no-ball in a T20is match is considered a “crime,” as per Hardik, however, Coach Dravid was not on Arshdeep Singh as harsh as Hardik.
In the second T20I, it’s Sri Lanka’s 19th over. Dasun Shanaka’s full toss went straight to Suryakumar Yadav at long-on, but India captain Hardik Pandya has his face in his hands instead of celebrating. The reason is that Arshdeep Singh has again gone too far.
That was Arshdeep’s fourth ball that didn’t hit the batsman. Shanaka hit a six with the next free hit to rub it in. After two balls, Arshdeep stepped out again. Shanaka had 30 runs off 14 balls when he was given a break. He went on to score 56 runs off 22 balls without being out, which helped Sri Lanka get past 200.
Earlier in the game, Arshdeep’s no-balls let Kusal Mendis, the other batsman who had scored 50 or more runs, get away. Sri Lanka was 7 for no loss after 1.5 overs, and Mendis had been out three times in four balls.
Then, Arshdeep threw three no-balls in a row. Mendis took advantage of the free hits and hit a four and a six, giving Sri Lanka a 19-run over to get going.
India’s attack leader, Arshdeep, seemed to lose his captain’s trust after that over, and he wasn’t called back until the 19th over, even though his strength is death bowling. So, Umran Malik had to bowl the 18th over, which isn’t his strong suit. He hasn’t mastered the yorker yet, so his speed, which is his biggest strength, becomes a weakness at the end of the game when batters throw their bats around. In that over, Malik gave away 21.
On every ball bowled in a T20I, and Arshdeep’s five front foot no-balls are the most of any bowler. Malik and Shivam Mavi each threw a no-ball, giving India a total of seven. No Full Member team has ever thrown that many no-balls in a T20I.
In the end, it was the balls that didn’t count that were the most important. India lost 27 runs because of the no-balls and free hits. Their loss was by 16 points.
Arshdeep had recovered from an illness that had caused him to miss the first T20I. With little time to practice between the first two games, he could have been rusty. Overstepping has been a problem for him since his international debut. Arshdeep has bowled 14 front-foot no-balls in T20Is since 2022. With five, Blessing Muzarabani is a distant second.
“No-balls cannot be given as freebies,” India’s T20I skipper Hardik Pandya stated after the game. “You can give runs away and get away with anything else. He [Arshdeep] has been on a roll, but he has also bowled a few of no-balls in the past. It’s not about blame, but about playing cricket. No-ball is a crime in international cricket, as well as in T20 cricket. Not to be too harsh on him, but he needs to go back . Remember that these are the fundamental faults that he should not be doing at this level.”
India’s coach, Rahul Dravid, was less harsh. “Obviously, nobody wants to bowl wides [no-balls] in any style of the game,” he remarked, “but especially in the T20 format, they can kill you. But, when you look at this team, you’ll notice that there are a lot of young players, particularly in our bowling assault. So they will have games like this from time to time. We must all be patient and accept that things like this can occur.
“Of course, they’re becoming better, and we’re doing everything we can to assist them technically and provide the ideal environment for them to get the most out of their abilities. However, as they are finding, it is not easy to learn in international cricket; you must learn on the job.
“The best part is that the 50-over World Cup and World Test Championship will receive a lot of attention this year. The T20 games allow us to try out a lot of these younger players and just back them up when they have tough games like this.”
Modern cricketers are always talking about managing the controllables and following the process. They do not always evaluate their performance through the perspective of statistics, particularly in T20 cricket.
“At the end of the day, when you go to bed, you should be content with the way you bowled,” Arshdeep Singh once told. “It’s possible that you were attempting to bowl a yorker but ended up with a half-volley and a wicket. Everyone knows you took a wicket, but you also know you erred. Stats cannot tell you those things, the feelings you have.”
The figures, however, did not lie on Thursday night.
On Thursday, November 2, Virat Kohli achieved an accomplishment. He became the batsman to surpass 1000 runs in ODIs in 2023, following in the footsteps of Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Not that,. He also joined Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Pathum Nissanka as the fourth players to achieve this impressive record in the 50-over format within the same year.
Stepping into History with 1000 Runs in ODIs
Entering the realm of history, Kohli’s unwavering determination and exceptional skills were put on display during his match in 2023. Notably, the cricket maestro, now 34 years old, made an indelible impact by surpassing Sachin Tendulkar‘s record, securing the most number of years with 1000 runs in ODIs. Kohli’s consistent ability to perform at such an exceptional level has been a defining characteristic of his illustrious career, as he had previously achieved this monumental milestone in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, and 2019, before accomplishing it once again in the present year of 2023.
Sachin Tendulkar with god of cricket Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/zmztejNBBB
— Kevin (@imkevin149) November 2, 2023
An Unforgettable Journey
In an intense World Cup 2023 clash against Sri Lanka at the renowned Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Virat Kohli’s pursuit of this historic milestone was realized with an impressive 34 runs. Despite facing challenges, including a rare duck against England at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, his overall performance throughout the year has been nothing short of spectacular.
Kohli’s memorable journey was highlighted by an unbeaten century during India’s triumphant seven-wicket victory against Bangladesh at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune. Adding to his illustrious record, he solidified his stature with a brilliant 95 runs, making a significant contribution to India’s thrilling four-wicket win over New Zealand led by Tom Latham at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Pune.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, on Tuesday, October 31, achieved a remarkable feat, becoming the third fastest bowler to secure 100 wickets in ODIs. His outstanding performance during Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 match against Bangladesh at the renowned Eden Gardens in Kolkata led to this historic accomplishment.
A Landmark Moment
In the thrilling encounter, Shaheen clinched his 100th wicket in only his 51st match, dismissing Tigers’ opening batter Tanzid Hasan Tamim. The left-arm fast bowler displayed exceptional skill as he struck Tamim on the pads, prompting the on-field umpire to raise his finger. Despite Tamim’s referral to the third umpire using the Decision Review System (DRS), the replays confirmed the ball crashing into the stumps, upholding the on-field decision. Bangladesh lost their first wicket with the scoreboard reading 0 in just 0.5 overs.
Shaheen Afridi soars high yet again with another feat to his name 🦅#CWC23 | #PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/IlQQ6P5xYK
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) October 31, 2023
Surpassing Preceding Records
Shaheen Shah Afridi not only secured this feat in record time but also outshone the accomplishments of esteemed bowlers preceding him. He surpassed the record of the fastest pacer, previously held by Mitchell Starc, who attained the milestone in August 2016 during an ODI against Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Legacy of Excellence
Moreover, Shaheen shattered the long-standing record held by Saqlain Mushtaq, becoming the fastest Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in ODIs. Saqlain had set this record on May 12, 1997, during an ODI against Sri Lanka in Gwalior. It is notable that among the Pakistani fast bowlers, the accomplished Shaheen Shah Afridi follows in the footsteps of the legendary Waqar Younis, who achieved the 100-wicket mark back in February 1993 against Zimbabwe in Sharjah.
Beyond ODIs
Demonstrating his prowess beyond ODIs, Shaheen has made significant contributions in Tests and T20Is as well. Since his debut in 2018, he has garnered 105 wickets in Tests and 64 wickets in T20Is. His exceptional journey began with a strong performance in the U19 World Cup in New Zealand. Notably, he played a pivotal role in Lahore Qalandars’ consecutive victories in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
A Testament to Talent and Dedication
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s rapid rise to 100 ODI wickets within 51 matches underlines his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the sport. As he continues to leave an indelible mark on the cricketing world, his journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide. With his remarkable achievements, Afridi has solidified his place in the annals of cricket history, etching his name as one of Pakistan’s most formidable and promising fast bowlers.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has recently expressed admiration for India’s dominant performance in the ongoing 2023 ICC World Cup. With India securing victories in all six matches, Akhtar highlighted the team’s exceptional display across various aspects of the game. Although the recent batting performance against England in Lucknow was relatively modest, India’s fierce bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, proved instrumental in securing a remarkable win. This triumph not only solidified India’s leading position on the points table but also exacerbated England’s struggles in the tournament, leaving them virtually eliminated.
India’s Remarkable Bowling Transformation
In his analysis, Akhtar emphasized the transformative impact of Shami’s inclusion in India’s playing eleven following Hardik Pandya’s injury. Acknowledging Shami’s outstanding performances against New Zealand and England, Akhtar credited India’s ability to win matches through their bowling prowess, showcasing a shift from their traditional reliance on batting strength. He commended the collective effort of the Indian bowling unit, particularly recognizing the strategic brilliance of fast bowler Bumrah.
India’s Path to World Cup Glory
Looking ahead, Akhtar voiced his confidence in India’s potential to secure their third ODI World Cup trophy, highlighting the team’s upcoming matches against Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the Netherlands. Expressing optimism, he emphasized the significance of maintaining their unbeaten streak en route to the final, setting the stage for a potential historic ICC World Cup victory. However, Akhtar cautioned against compromising the successful bowling unit once Pandya returns to full fitness, warning against the potential detriment of a partially fit Pandya’s inclusion at the expense of a bowler.
Akhtar’s Praise for India and its Response to Criticism
Addressing skepticism surrounding his praise for the Indian team, Akhtar reiterated the exceptional nature of India’s performance, particularly in their ability to defend a modest total with a significant margin of victory. Undeterred by criticism, Akhtar reaffirmed his admiration for India’s exceptional cricketing prowess, urging acknowledgment and appreciation of their commendable achievements.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Perspective on Virat Kohli
Shifting focus, Akhtar’s history of praise extends beyond team performances to individual players, notably including former Indian team captain Virat Kohli. Reminiscing on Kohli’s resilience during a challenging phase in his career, Akhtar highlighted the pivotal role played by Kohli’s consistent century-scoring performances, leading to India’s victories. Recognizing Kohli’s contribution to the team’s success, Akhtar emphasized the significance of Kohli’s monumental centuries during crucial chases, solidifying his status as a crucial asset for the Indian cricket team.
In a comparison between Kohli and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, Akhtar acknowledged Tendulkar’s status as one of the greatest batsmen while highlighting the challenges Tendulkar faced as a captain. Drawing parallels, Akhtar expressed confidence in Kohli’s eventual resurgence, expecting him to return to his prolific scoring form once he finds his equilibrium.
In summary, Akhtar’s acknowledgment of India’s exceptional performance and his recognition of individual players’ contributions underscore the team’s formidable presence in the 2023 ICC World Cup, setting the stage for a potential historic triumph in the coming days.
1000 Runs in ODIs: Kohli’s Cricket Legacy
Shaheen Shah Afridi: Fastest to 100 ODI Wickets
ICC World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar says, ‘Mai India ki tareef kyu na karu’
South Africa’s World Cup dreams have taken a major hit.
Wimbledon 2022: Andy Murray knocked out by John Isner despite late fightback
