India head coach Gautam Gambhir said Arshdeep Singh did not have to apologize to Daryl Mitchell after their heated on-field exchange during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The incident occurred during New Zealand’s run when Mitchell hit Arshdeep for two consecutive sixes. In response, the Indian pacer tried to run out after spotting the batter slightly outside his crease. However, the throw missed the stumps and hit Mitchell on the thighwhich sparked a brief confrontation between the two players on the field.
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Although Arshdeep later clarified that the throw was accidental and apologized to Mitchell after the match, Gambhir defended the pacer’s aggressive response. He said such moments are part of competitive sports and that players representing their country must show intensity on the pitch.
‘I was TOTALLY FINE’
Gambhir also noted that similar incidents have occurred in the past, but in the era of social media, they often receive much more attention and scrutiny.
“That’s fine. You’re representing your country. You’re bound to show aggression. If you bowl back, what’s wrong with that? No bowler likes being hit with two sixes. And that’s the kind of response I want to see from my players. There’s nothing wrong with that. Even if he didn’t say sorry, I was totally fine with that. He doesn’t have to apologise,” Gambhir said on the ANI podcast.
“Yes, it’s good that he apologized, but there are no friends or enemies on the cricket field. Your job is to represent your country, to win for your country. These things also happened earlier. But in the era of social media, things escalate, which I don’t think is needed,” Gambhir added.
ARSHDEEP SINGH FINE
Arshdeep, meanwhile, he was fined 15 percent of his match fee for breaching the International Cricket Council’s 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 the ball at or near a player during an international match in an inappropriate or dangerous manner.
Apart from the fine, one demerit point was added to Arshdeep’s disciplinary record. It was his first offense in 24 months. The ICC also confirmed that no formal hearing was required as the pacer accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
11 March 2026 20:14 IST
