Key Points
- Arshdeep Singh bowled a 13-ball over with 7 wides in 2nd T20I against South Africa
- Became first Indian bowler to bowl 13-ball over in T20 International cricket
- Equaled Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq’s world record for longest T20I over
- Conceded 18 runs in the disastrous 11th over at Mullanpur stadium
- No other bowler from full member nation has bowled such lengthy over in T20Is
Indian fast bowler Arshdeep Singh took the field on Thursday evening for the crucial second match of the five-match T20 International series against South Africa at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh. With the home crowd rallying behind the Indian team, expectations from the experienced left-arm pacer were considerably high.
However, what unfolded during his spell left spectators, teammates, and cricket experts stunned. Arshdeep’s performance in the match became a talking point for all the wrong reasons, as he struggled significantly with his line and length, leading to an unprecedented sequence of events in Indian T20I cricket history.
Historic 13-Ball Over Shocks Everyone
The moment that defined Arshdeep’s outing came during a chaotic over that extended far beyond the regulation six deliveries. The left-arm pacer bowled a staggering 13-ball over, which included just 6 legal deliveries and a shocking 7 wides, leaving everyone at the venue and watching worldwide in disbelief.
This extraordinary occurrence marked a dubious milestone in Indian cricket, as Arshdeep became the first Indian bowler ever to bowl a 13-ball over in T20 International cricket. The record is extremely rare in the shortest format of the game and is considered highly embarrassing for any professional bowler at the international level.
The over completely disrupted India’s rhythm in the field and put immense pressure on the bowling unit. Each wide delivery drew groans from the capacity crowd at the newly constructed stadium, as fans watched their premier pace bowler struggle to find his radar against the South African batsmen.
Equaling Unwanted World Record
With this performance, Arshdeep Singh has etched his name in the record books for all the wrong reasons. He became only the second bowler in T20 International cricket history to bowl a 13-ball over, equaling the unwanted record previously set by Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq.
Naveen-ul-Haq had bowled a similar 13-ball over against Zimbabwe in 2024, though his over consisted of 6 wides and 1 no-ball. Arshdeep’s version featured an even worse tally of 7 wides without any no-balls, highlighting the extent of his wayward bowling on the evening.
Unprecedented Among Full Member Nations
What makes Arshdeep’s record even more significant is that no other bowler from a full member nation of the International Cricket Council has bowled such an extended over in T20 International cricket. This distinction separates Arshdeep’s performance from other bowlers representing major cricketing nations.
Previously, the longest over by a bowler from a full member team was a 12-ball over bowled by South Africa’s Sisanda Magala against Pakistan in Johannesburg during 2021. That over included 6 legal deliveries and 6 extras, falling just short of the 13-ball mark.
Arshdeep has now surpassed Magala’s dubious record and stands alongside Naveen-ul-Haq as joint holders of the world record for the longest over in T20I cricket. Cricket statisticians and analysts are already describing this over as one of the rarest and most unusual events witnessed in the format’s history.
Details of the Disastrous 11th Over
The catastrophe occurred at a crucial juncture of the match. Left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh had already shown signs of struggle in his opening spell, conceding 20 runs in his first two overs. His radar appeared off from the start, with the South African batsmen looking comfortable against his pace and swing.
After the scheduled drinks break, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav made the decision to bring Arshdeep back into the attack, hoping the break would help the bowler reset and find his rhythm. However, the move backfired spectacularly as Arshdeep began the 11th over of the South African innings.
The over proved to be a nightmare sequence for the Indian pace spearhead. He conceded a total of 18 runs from the 13 deliveries, with 7 runs coming exclusively from wides. The over also included one maximum, a powerful six that sailed over the boundary, three singles that kept the scoreboard ticking, and one double as the batsmen capitalized on the loose bowling.
Each wide delivery meant Arshdeep had to bowl again, extending the agony for both the bowler and his teammates. The fielders behind the stumps and in the outfield could only watch helplessly as ball after ball strayed down the leg side or was too wide outside off stump for the batsmen to reach.
Impact on Team Performance
The extension had significant ramifications beyond just the runs conceded. India’s over rate suffered considerably due to the extra deliveries, potentially leading to penalties or fines under ICC regulations. Match officials closely monitor over rates to ensure games maintain proper pace and duration.
Following the chaotic over, Indian fielders were forced to be more vigilant on the boundary line, with captain Suryakumar Yadav making multiple field adjustments to prevent further damage. The team’s body language reflected the frustration of watching a key bowler struggle so dramatically on home soil.
The over also disrupted India’s bowling plans and momentum in the field. What should have been a pressure-building middle overs period instead became a run-scoring opportunity for South Africa, shifting the balance of the match significantly.
Rare Event in T20 Cricket History
Despite the embarrassment, fans and cricket analysts are acknowledging this as one of the rarest occurrences in T20 International cricket. Such extended overs are exceptionally uncommon at the highest level, where bowlers typically maintain better control and discipline.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion on social media platforms, with cricket enthusiasts sharing clips and statistics related to this unusual bowling performance. Many are expressing sympathy for Arshdeep while also acknowledging the bizarre nature of the record.
For Arshdeep Singh, this over represents the worst performance of his international career to date. The 25-year-old left-arm pacer, who has been a crucial member of India’s pace attack in white-ball cricket, will be eager to put this performance behind him and bounce back in the remaining matches of the series.
As India continues the T20I series against South Africa, all eyes will be on how Arshdeep responds to this setback and whether he can rediscover the form that made him one of India’s most reliable death-over specialists in recent years.
