West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph drew sharp criticism from Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar after bowling multiple bouncers at Arshdeep Singh during the fourth T20I between India and West Indies in Hyderabad on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
Joseph struck Arshdeep on the shoulder or bicep with at least one delivery. Despite the blow, Arshdeep initially chose to carry on batting. It was his batting partner Shreyas Iyer who stepped in and advised him to retire hurt. Arshdeep eventually walked off the field having contributed 5 runs to India's chase.
The timing of the incident made India's task virtually impossible. When Arshdeep was struck, India still needed 30 runs from the final delivery, leaving the match well beyond reach. West Indies had earlier posted a commanding 247 for 3, and India could only manage 223 in reply. West Indies won by 24 runs, levelling the five-match T20I series at 2-2. The incident raised immediate questions about the intent behind Joseph's short-pitched bowling at a lower-order batter in a match that was already firmly in West Indies' favour by that stage.
What did Sunil Gavaskar say about Shamar Joseph's bowling?
Gavaskar was on commentary during the match and did not hold back in expressing his disapproval of Joseph's approach. He questioned why a fast bowler would repeatedly target a lower-order batter with bouncers when the match situation offered no tactical justification for it. With the result beyond doubt and India needing an impossible 30 runs off the last ball, the short-pitched barrage at Arshdeep drew widespread attention.
"He is aiming at him. Why attack the batter when the stumps are right there," Gavaskar said on JioStar, as quoted by FirstPost.
Gavaskar's comments drew significant attention, with several reports highlighting his criticism of Joseph's conduct on the field during what was a dead-rubber phase of the innings from a match-result perspective.
What is the latest update on Arshdeep Singh's injury?
After retiring hurt, Arshdeep Singh was seen applying ice to his shoulder on the boundary, indicating the blow had caused immediate discomfort. The exact nature and severity of the injury had not been confirmed at the time of reporting. India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson provided an update after the match, saying,
"Arshdeep is putting ice on his shoulder. Hopefully he gets well soon. He got struck by a high-speed ball. Hope he recovers soon," Samson said in the post-match press conference.
With the five-match series now level at 2-2, Arshdeep's fitness ahead of the deciding fifth T20I will be closely monitored by the Indian team management. No official medical update had been issued at the time of writing.
