In what could be described as a nail-biting thriller, young Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh demonstrated nerves of steel in the final T20I against Australia on December 3, in Bengaluru. With the series poised at 3-1 in favor of India, the fifth and deciding match saw Arshdeep shouldering the massive responsibility of defending 10 runs in the final over against the formidable Matthew Wade.
Prior to this encounter, Arshdeep’s performance at the end of innings had been subject to scrutiny, having failed to leave his mark in the series. His yorkers, which are usually his go-to weapon, had not been as precise as expected, and the preceding games saw him concede runs at an alarming rate. This was epitomized in the final game where, before the last over, his figures read 1/37 in three overs. With the weight of past performances against him, this was a moment that could etch his name as a hero or be remembered as a debacle.
But when it mattered most, Arshdeep Singh answered his critics with emphatic conviction. The over commenced with a well-directed bouncer, followed by a pin-point yorker. Compounding the pressure, he then delivered a full ball that lured Matthew Wade into a false shot, resulting in a much-celebrated wicket for India. Wade’s dismissal could be seen as somewhat unlucky, for the first ball of the over – a bouncer sailing above the helmet – might have been called wide on another day. Nonetheless, it was Arshdeep who prevailed, displaying remarkable composure and skill in a high-pressure situation.
With the equation now skewed heavily in favor of India, Australia’s lower order was left with the improbable task of needing 10 runs from the final three balls. Arshdeep held his own, continuing to deliver full and challenging balls. In a dramatic penultimate delivery, Nathan Ellis clubbed one such full delivery down the ground, threatening to upset India’s grip on the match. However, Arshdeep, partially obstructing the ball, shielded the umpire from potential harm. The ball, although deflected off Arshdeep’s hand, still caught umpire Virender Sharma on the thigh, narrowly avoiding a more severe impact.
The moment of inadvertent protection by the umpire and the subsequent avoidance of a serious injury sparked a lighthearted reaction among commentators and players alike, including Tim David in the dugout. Footage of the incident quickly gained traction on social media platforms with cricket fans and followers sharing and commenting on the bizarre turn of events.
Heading into the final ball, Australia’s hopes were all but extinguished. Jason Behrendorff could only muster a solitary run, thereby securing a sensational last over by Arshdeep Singh and signaling a series-clinching victory for India. Through a blend of discipline and variations, Arshdeep had sealed the deal for his team, stepping up when it counted to help India close out the series with a 4-1 scoreline.
In the backdrop of this memorable finish to the series, cricket aficionados also pondered on other performances and strategic decisions throughout the series, such as the absence of Deepak Chahar from the final match and the resurgence of Sanju Samson’s form after his recall to the ODI squad for the upcoming South Africa series. However, the spotlight ultimately shone brightest on Arshdeep Singh, whose death over mastery in the final match wrote a thrilling final chapter to this India-Australia T20I series narrative.