'Yeh kiya baat huyi bhai pura blame uspar daaldiya' - Fans rip apart as Hardik Pandya blames Arshdeep Singh for India's loss in 2nd T20I

India and Sri Lanka squared off against each other in the second T20I on January 5, Thursday and it was the Dasun Shanaka-led team who clinched the game with a margin of 16 runs as they restricted the Indian team to just 190, chasing a target of 206. The Indian team's prime allrounder 31-ball 65 Axar Patel helped the team inch closer to the target. 

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While there were many moments to take away from the game, Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm pacer bowled five no-balls to his name, conceding 37 runs off the first 2 overs. Shivam Mavi, who picked up a four-for to his name in his debut game on Tuesday, went wicketless after conceding 53 runs, while Umran Malik picked up a three-for after going for 48 runs. 

It's not about blaming but no ball is a crime: Hardik Pandya

It was Dasun Shanaka, the Sri Lankan skipper, who stood up for the team with his 22-ball 56. As far as the Indian batting is concerned, Suryakumar Yadav scored a fifty to his name and many opined it was Arshdeep who let the team down on the back of his no-balls. Fans, on the other hand, left no stone unturned to slam the pacer and claimed that it was unwanted by the bowler. 

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“Both bowling and batting - powerplay hurt us. We made basic errors which we shouldn't do at this level. Learning should be the basics we can control. You can have a bad day but shouldn't be going away from basics. In this situation it's very difficult,” Hardik was quoted as saying after the match. 

“In past as well he's bowled no-balls. It's not about blaming but no ball is a crime. Surya had a fantastic run at four. Anyone who comes into the team - you want to give them a role they are comfortable in (talking about Rahul at three),” he added. While many slammed Arshdeep for his poor spell, many were, however, unhappy with Hardik’s opinion and felt that the allrounder was being too harsh. 

Here’s how fans have reacted to Hardik Pandya’s statement: 

Singh is king. He will come back with a bang.

— The new Bharat Army (@vaspar78) January 5, 2023

Yeh ky baat hui bhai pura ka pura blame uspar daaldiya apne gill ko bol kuch

— Vanshika Pimplapure (@VanshuKiid) January 5, 2023

"Not blaming, but it was Arshdeep's fault" lol

— Key⚡️ (@omgjustkillme) January 5, 2023

He could say this to him personally 🙂

— Nisha (@NishaRo45) January 5, 2023

Not blaming but blaming anyway

— ma7ur (@Imma7ur) January 5, 2023

Never seen a captain pointing out a player in the interview 🙄

— Rishabhians Planet (@Rishabhians17) January 5, 2023

Who said "his captaincy is just like MS" 😂😂 My foot HP and Mahi bhai are so different pls 🤦‍♂️😅 no comparisons at all

— _LiveLaughLov (@_LiveLaughLov) January 5, 2023

He's coming off an injury and needed rhythm to get going 🤡🤡



He can not get rhythm if you give him just 2 overs , he's your best T20 bowler

— Kaygee18 (@Kaygee1803) January 5, 2023

I don’t think this is a mature statement by a captain..instead he should have covered for arshdeep by telling everyone has their good and bad days😏btw what he himself did in the field?why didn’t he blame himslef for poor batting in such a good wicket

— Sandeep Kumar (@Sandeep_Jituu) January 5, 2023

Imagine dressing room scene. 🤣🤣😭

— Shing Ha (@RepIyGPT) January 5, 2023

Should Hardik be speaking publically about a particular player or discuss about them in the dressing room?

— movieman (@movieman777) January 5, 2023

Wohi bhai 5 NO ball in just 2 overs= Murder.

— fsdss fss (@FsdssFss) January 5, 2023

Pel diya arshdeep ko ?🙄

— ηєнα (@_dreamer__neha) January 5, 2023