Sunil Gavaskar, the former captain of India, expressed his discontent with West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph following an incident where a bouncer struck Arshdeep Singh on the shoulder during the fourth T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday. This event occurred as India was attempting to chase a target of 248 runs set by the West Indies.

The match concluded with India losing by 24 runs, resulting in the series being levelled at two matches each, setting the stage for a decisive fifth match in Bengaluru on Saturday. The West Indies posted a total of 247 runs for three wickets, while India managed to score 223 runs, with Keemo Paul taking five wickets for the visitors.

Captain Shai Hope led the West Indies with an impressive unbeaten score of 102 runs off 50 balls. The incident involving Arshdeep took place towards the end of India’s innings, raising concerns about his fitness. As the Indian team chased the target, a bouncer from Joseph hit Arshdeep, causing him considerable pain. Despite the discomfort, he chose to continue batting, even as India required 30 runs from the final ball.

Captain Shreyas Iyer suggested that Arshdeep retire hurt, but he opted to remain at the crease. On the subsequent delivery, Arshdeep attempted to hit the ball for a boundary, but Joseph bowled another short ball directed towards his injured shoulder. This delivery missed Arshdeep but resulted in four byes and a wide.

Gavaskar’s Reaction to Joseph’s Bowling Tactics

Gavaskar’s commentary during the match highlighted his strong disapproval of Joseph’s bowling tactics. He questioned the rationale behind targeting the batter instead of aiming for the stumps. Gavaskar was quoted saying, “He is aiming at him. Why attack the batter when the stumps are right there?”

His remarks indicated a belief that Joseph’s approach was not only aggressive but also unnecessary, especially given the circumstances. He further expressed concern for Arshdeep’s well-being, suggesting that if the player was in pain, he should have retired from the match. Gavaskar emphasised the importance of safety and the need to avoid aggravating injuries.

He argued that Joseph should have focused on the stumps rather than the batter, especially since Arshdeep was moving away from the line of the ball. Ultimately, Arshdeep was unable to continue and was retired hurt after scoring five runs. His injury raises potential concerns for India as they prepare for the crucial series decider on Saturday.

Concerns Over India’s Batting Performance

In addition to the incident involving Arshdeep, Gavaskar also voiced concerns regarding India’s batting performance during the match. Despite a promising start from Sanju Samson, the team struggled to maintain momentum and fell short of the target. Gavaskar noted that the batting unit needed to take greater responsibility, particularly when chasing substantial totals.

He stated that the Indian side must improve its approach to chasing, highlighting that a more disciplined batting strategy is essential for success. Gavaskar remarked that the team should have demonstrated dominance, especially on a pitch that was conducive to batting, particularly with dew expected to play a role in the game.

As the series stands at two matches each, the upcoming fifth T20I at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will be crucial for both teams. With everything at stake, both sides will be eager to secure a victory and claim the series.

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