Gautam Gambhir Launches Revolt, Confronts ICC Over Arshdeep Singh

Gambhir supports Arshdeep in Daryl Mitchell saga [Source: AFP]

The T20 World Cup 2026 final went in India’s favour as the defending champions dominated the proceedings and thrashed New Zealand in a one-sided game to clinch the title for the third time in their history. While the contest went smoothly, and India’s plans worked against a struggling Kiwi side, one controversial moment almost ruined the fun.

Arshdeep Singh, who had an average day in the finals, was taken to the cleaners by Daryl Mitchell, and the Indian pacer smacked him with the ball as the umpire and Indian captain, Suryakumar Yadav had to intervene.

The Kiwi batter had smacked two sixes in an over against Arshdeep, and in the same over, Mitchell played one shot towards the bowler as the left-arm pacer hit him on his right thigh with the ball. The moment was purely out of frustration, but it showcased Arshdeep’s angry side. Eventually, the two players reconciled, but the pacer was fined by the ICC.

Gambhir openly revolts against ICC's Arshdeep Singh decision

Normally, such activities on a cricketing field are condemned, but India’s head coach had a different view as he supported Arshdeep Singh and stated that the pacer had no need to apologise to Mitchell despite smacking him unnecessarily.

ANI

@ANI

#WATCH | "...You are representing your country and are bound to show aggression. There is nothing wrong with it...That is the kind of response that I want to see from my players...I was fine even if Arshdeep Singh had not apologised to Daryl Mitchell..." says Head Coach of Team

Mar 11, 2026, 9:13 AM

"You are representing your country and are bound to show aggression. There is nothing wrong with it...That is the kind of response that I want to see from my players...I was fine even if Arshdeep Singh had not apologised to Daryl Mitchell," head coach Gambhir said in an interview with ANI.

Also Read: Arshdeep Singh Pulls Suryakumar Yadav Aside, Then Pushes Him At New Zealand Players

ICC slaps Arshdeep Singh with heavy fine

For his unnecessary action in the T20 World Cup final, Arshdeep was fined 15% of his match fee, as he breached Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct.

Besides the 15% fine on match fees, the ICC has handed Singh one demerit point. It was Arshdeep's solitary offence in last 24 months, so there will be no ban imposed of any sort on the India seamer.

"Arshdeep was found to have breached Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment) at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match,” ICC statement on Indian pacer.

Arshdeep's average performance in T20 World Cup 2026

Arshdeep was expected to deliver the goods for India in the T20 World Cup, but unlike his heroics in the 2024 edition, he failed to live up to the hype.

The left-arm pacer played in all eight matches, but only managed to pick up 9 wickets as he struggled to get breakthroughs. He averaged 28.22, and the economy was also on the higher side (8.47).

The fast bowler was good in patches, but he lacked consistency in all eight matches. In the last three matches, Arshdeep only managed to pick a solitary wicket, and was also taken to the cleaners by the opposition batters.

Also Read: ICC Finally Breaks Silence On West Indies And South Africa Players' Departure After T20 World Cup