Media365
Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh had a forgettable outing in the second T20I against South Africa in Mullanpur on Thursday, delivering an unprecedented 13-ball over that drew visible frustration from head coach Gautam Gambhir and placed the left-arm seamer alongside an unwanted world record. Arshdeep’s 11th-over meltdown, featuring seven wides and a six, matched Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq for the most balls ever bowled in a single over in men’s T20I cricket.
The chaotic over leaked 18 runs as Quinton de Kock, already in fluent touch, continued his assault. De Kock smashed the first ball for a towering six over the sightscreen before Arshdeep sprayed a sequence of wayward wides attempting full and wide yorkers. The over stretched to 13 deliveries, marked by growing restlessness in the crowd and visible concern in the Indian dugout.
Most balls bowled in an over in T20I (Full-member teams)
- 13 – Naveen-ul-Haq vs ZIM, Harare, 2024
- 13 – Arshdeep Singh vs SA, Mullanpur, 2025
- 12 – Sisanda Magala vs PAK, Jo’burg, 2021
Cameras repeatedly cut to a stern-faced Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel, both unimpressed with the loss of control.Arshdeep’s struggle also coincided with de Kock’s dominance in the innings.Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bowl first, sticking with the same XI that delivered a thumping 101-run win in the opening match. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav cited dew as a key factor, praising his bowlers for their clinical performance in the series opener. South Africa, seeking a strong response after their heavy defeat, made three changes, bringing in Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, and Ottneil Baartman.While the surface at the newly inaugurated Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium offered good batting conditions, Arshdeep’s wayward spell became the talking point of the innings.
