Arshdeep Singh fined by ICC for throwing ball at Mitchell in T20 World Cup final
The incident happened in the heat of a World Cup final. India were rolling through New Zealand's batting order in Ahmedabad on March 8 when Arshdeep Singh picked up the ball after a delivery in the 11th over and hurled it at Daryl Mitchell, striking the batter on his pads.
ICC Sanctions India's Fast Bowler
The ICC wasted no time. Arshdeep was found guilty of breaching Article 2.9 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The charge relates to throwing a ball at or near a player in an inappropriate and dangerous manner during an international match.
The penalty was a 15 percent fine of his match fee and one demerit point. It was Arshdeep's first offense within a 24-month period. Match referee Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees proposed the sanction, and Arshdeep accepted it without contesting, avoiding a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Richard Illingworth and Alex Wharf, third umpire Allahuddien Paleker, and fourth umpire Adrian Holdstock leveled the charge.
Tempers Flare Then Cool
The throw sparked a brief moment of tension on the field. Players from both sides exchanged words before things settled down. But the story had a better ending than the headlines suggest.
Arshdeep walked up to Mitchell after the over and apologised. The two were spotted shaking hands and sharing a laugh later in the match. After India sealed a dominant 96-run victory to clinch their third T20 World Cup title, the pair crossed paths again and the exchange was warm.
Dominant Display Overshadowed
It was a minor blemish on what was otherwise a comprehensive Indian performance. India's bowlers dismantled New Zealand in the final, restricting them well below the target and cruising to a massive win in front of a packed Ahmedabad crowd.
For Arshdeep, the fine is a footnote. One demerit point will not cause any lasting damage unless further incidents pile up within the 24-month window. Four demerit points within that period would result in a suspension point.
The left-arm pacer was one of India's key weapons throughout the tournament. His aggressive approach and wicket-taking ability were central to India's run to the title. A moment of competitive fire in a World Cup final is hardly surprising. The ICC judged it crossed a line, and Arshdeep took his punishment without complaint.
