CRICKET

Arshdeep meltdown rocks India, SA take early lead in 2nd T20I

Indian Cricket Team

After​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Arshdeep Singh bowled a horror over that contained seven wides in the 2nd T20I, tension in Mullanpur exploded. Gautam Gambhir was visibly angry, and Sunil Gavaskar called the bowler “wild and chaotic” on the air. The Indian team’s energy was drained of a sudden, and the whole dressing room was full of ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌frustration.

Seven Wides, Angry Reactions and Lost Control

The drama began in the 11th over. Arshdeep went full first ball, and Quinton de Kock launched it into the sightscreen. Pressure surged, and Arshdeep lost his rhythm, sending two wides next. A dot ball offered brief relief, but the collapse returned as four consecutive wides stunned everyone.

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ camera focused on Gambhir, who was wildly motioning as India’s hold on the game weakened. The expressions of Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav were also of displeasure. Gavaskar condemned Arshdeep very much and doubted his indifference to way of the same line of which he kept making ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌mistakes. South Africa crossed 100 as the over spiralled into chaos.

Arshdeep recovered slightly with tighter lengths. De Kock managed singles, while Aiden Markram added smart runs. Yet the final blow came with another wide before the over closed at 18 runs. The meltdown overshadowed India’s unchanged lineup, while South Africa’s adjustments looked sharp in the early phases.

Momentum Shift and Worrying Signs Ahead

That​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ shot significantly altered the emotional tempo of the match. India lost their way with the bowling plans, and South Africa were immediately brimming with confidence. These kinds of mistakes throw up very serious questions about a young bowling line-up that is still finding its feet in pressure ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌situations. The reaction from Gautam Gambhir and senior players shows the team’s rising urgency before the T20 World Cup year. If similar mistakes continue, India may struggle to close tight games, especially against aggressive top orders.

Author’s Opinion:

Arshdeep must steady his nerves quickly. India need sharper execution because every small lapse can flip momentum in high-stakes T20 contests.

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