After India defeated Pakistan by six runs in a high-stakes, low-scoring game, there was a general feeling of relief among Indian professionals and the general public. The squad responded with a superb bowling effort, even though they had a big batting collapse. Nonetheless, during his Star Sports commentary, veteran Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar became quite enraged due to a specific incident that occurred on the second delivery of the 18th over.
Although Pakistan had lost some of the pace in their chase of the 120-run target, they were still well within striking distance and had the potential to make a strong comeback. The equation stood at 29 runs needed from 17 deliveries when Imad Wasim played the opening delivery from Mohammed Siraj for a single. Considering the skill of the middle-order hitters, this was a rather attainable target.
Iftikhar Ahmed had faced just one delivery before he reached the crease. Thankfully for India, there were no further runs made off the second delivery of the over, a front-foot no-ball. Siraj gave up just five runs in the final four deliveries of the over after allowing a few runs off the next free-hit, which was smashed to the right of the deep point.
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But the overstepping had sufficiently agitated Gavaskar. He declared that a no-ball bowled by any bowler, whatever their skill level, is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and unconscionable. Additionally, he stated that bowlers should be in complete control of their knowledge of the popping crease and that there were no excuses for bowling no-balls, even when wide deliveries may be explained by uncontrollable circumstances like wind or batters moving.
“Irredeemable. You cannot bowl a no-ball, whether you are a professional cricketer or not. You are in charge of it. While no-balls are always out of your control, wide balls are. This level of incompetence is intolerable. No justifications at all,” Gavaskar said in a Star Sports commentary.
Bowlers Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya took one, three, and two wickets, respectively, but Siraj was the only one of the four to finish his allotted overs without taking a wicket.
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