“Not in the spirit of the game” – Shreevats Goswami slams Shamar Joseph’s bowling against Arshdeep Singh

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter Shreevats Goswami criticised West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph for repeatedly bowling short deliveries at Arshdeep Singh during the final over of the fourth T20I. Goswami questioned the pacer’s approach, claiming that his actions were not in the spirit of the game.

The hosts, led by Shreyas Iyer, were reduced to 213/9 after 19 overs while chasing 248 runs. West Indies, led by Shai Hope, won the fourth T20I match in Hyderabad on Wednesday, October 14, to level the ongoing five-match series at 2-2. The teams will meet in the series decider in Bengaluru on October 17.

Shreevats Goswami Slams Shamar Joseph For Purposely Targeting Arshdeep Singh

With India needing 35 runs from the final over, Shamar Joseph bowled a series of short deliveries to Arshdeep Singh. The Indian left-arm pacer was struck on the arm by the third delivery and retired hurt a ball later after showing signs of pain.

Goswami took to his official X account to express his displeasure with the West Indies pacer’s approach. He felt the situation called for a different approach, given India’s slim chances of completing the chase.

“What Shamar Joseph did in the last 3 balls against Arshdeep is not in the spirit of the game for me! Arshdeep was never going to win it for India from that situation,” Goswami posted.

“I know it’s a battle out there, but he could have just bowled it on the stumps instead of trying to follow, and it looked like he was purposely trying to hit him. Not on!” the former RCB batter added.

https://x.com/shreevats1/status/2110424062178832400

Shamar Joseph Endures Forgettable White-Ball Tour In India

Shamar Joseph had a difficult outing in the fourth T20I despite West Indies securing a series-levelling victory. The 27-year-old conceded 47 runs in just 2.3 overs, struggling to contain India’s batters.

His difficulties began during the ODI leg of the tour. In his only appearance in the 50-over format, Joseph conceded 52 runs in six overs as India chased down a target of 407.

During the T20I series, he managed only two wickets across four matches while conceding runs at an economy rate of more than 14. He conceded 23 runs in two overs without taking a wicket in the opener, followed by 39 runs in three overs in the second match.

He finally picked up two wickets in the third T20I but conceded 54 runs in his four overs. With the series tied at 2-2, Joseph will look to improve his performance in the decider and help West Indies secure the series.

Arshdeep Singh Shoulders Indian Pace Attack In Bumrah’s Absence

Arshdeep Singh also endured an expensive outing in the fourth T20I, conceding 52 runs and taking one wicket in his four overs. However, he entered the match after producing a crucial performance in India’s 14-run win in the third T20I, which helped the hosts bounce back after losing the second game.

India defended a target of 223 in the third match, restricting West Indies to 209/7. Arshdeep led the bowling effort with figures of 3/44 in four overs, taking three important wickets despite conceding runs at a high rate.

He dismissed in-form West Indies batters Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford. The performance marked a recovery after he took just one wicket in the first T20I and went wicketless in the second.

With <a href="https://cricket.international/jasprit-bumrah-out-of-new-zealand-odis-as-bcci-plans-test-preparations/" title="Jasprit Bumrah OUT of New Zealand ODIs as BCCI plans Test preparations”>Jasprit Bumrah absent, Arshdeep carries significant responsibility for leading India’s pace attack. India will need another strong contribution from the left-arm pacer when they face West Indies in Bengaluru.

Source: cricketaddictor.com