India head coach Gautam Gambhir said that Arshdeep Singh did not need to apologise to Daryl Mitchell after their heated on-field exchange during the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The incident occurred during New Zealand’s run chase when Mitchell struck Arshdeep for two consecutive sixes. In response, the Indian pacer attempted a run-out after noticing the batter slightly outside his crease. However, the throw missed the stumps and hit Mitchell on the thigh, sparking a brief confrontation between the two players on the field.
Although Arshdeep later clarified that the throw was accidental and apologised to Mitchell after the match, Gambhir defended the pacer’s aggressive reaction. He said such moments are part of competitive sport and that players representing their country are bound to show intensity on the field.
‘I WAS ABSOLUTELY FINE’
Gambhir also noted that similar incidents have occurred in the past, but in the era of social media they often receive far more attention and scrutiny.
“That is ok. You are representing your country. You are bound to show aggression. If you throw back, what is wrong with that? No bowler likes getting hit for two sixes. And that is the kind of response I want to see from my players. There is nothing wrong. Even if he hadn’t said sorry, I was absolutely fine with it. He doesn’t need to say sorry,” Gambhir said on ANI’s podcast.
“Yes, it’s good on him that he apologised, but on the cricket field, there are no friends or enemies. Your job is to represent your country, win for your country. These things used to happen earlier, too. But in the era of social media, things escalate, for which, I think, there’s no need,” Gambhir added.
ARSHDEEP SINGH FINED
Arshdeep, in the meantime, has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching the International Cricket Council Code of Conduct during the final.
The ICC ruled that Arshdeep had committed a Level 1 breach of the Code of Conduct under Article 2.9, which relates to throwing a ball at or near a player in an inappropriate or dangerous manner during an international match.
In addition to the fine, one demerit point was added to Arshdeep’s disciplinary record. It was his first offence in a 24-month period. The ICC also confirmed that no formal hearing was required as the pacer accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft.
