Sanju Samson has provided an update on Arshdeep Singh after the India pacer suffered a painful blow to his shoulder during the fourth T20I against West Indies in Hyderabad. With the five-match series level at 2-2, Samson said India were charged up for the series decider in Bengaluru, while hoping Arshdeep would recover in time.
Arshdeep was struck by a short-pitched delivery from Shamar Joseph in the final over of India’s chase on Wednesday. The blow left the left-arm pacer in considerable pain, prompting the physios to rush onto the field to assess his condition.
“Arshdeep is putting ice on his shoulders. Hopefully he gets well soon. He got struck by a high-speed ball. Hope he recovers soon,” Samson said during the post-match press conference.
IND vs WI 4th T20I: Highlights | Scorecard
India needed 35 runs from the final over with just one wicket remaining when Joseph bowled a barrage of bouncers to Arshdeep, one of which hit him on his left shoulder. Many felt that the action was unsportsmanlike from Joseph, as Arshdeep could never have chased the runs down.
Although the Indian pacer attempted to continue batting, he appeared to be struggling with the pain. India captain Shreyas Iyer eventually urged Arshdeep to retire, bringing the chase to an end as West Indies secured a 24-run victory to level the series.
The incident also drew criticism from former Bengal cricketer Shreevats Goswami, who questioned Joseph’s decision to continue bowling short at Arshdeep when India had little chance 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!” Goswami wrote on X, arguing that the West Indies pacer could have opted to bowl at the stumps instead.
INDIA CHARGED UP FOR DECIDER
Despite the defeat in Hyderabad, Samson insisted that India were not dejected by the loss and were looking forward to the series decider and were determined to finish the contest on a high.
“We are 2-all now. All comes down to Bangalore now. We are really charged up for the last game. We have to get credit to West Indies cricket. They have come to our home and dominated 2 games. We are in the final now,” Samson said.
West Indies have fought back strongly after India took an early advantage in the series, winning two matches to force a decider. The visitors’ victory in Hyderabad ensured that neither side would have the opportunity to settle the contest before the final T20I.
India will now head to Bengaluru for the fifth and final match, with the series on the line. Arshdeep’s recovery will be one of the aspects to watch ahead of the decider.
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