NEW DELHI: India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has shared that he personally apologised to Daryl Mitchell after an on-field incident involving Arshdeep Singh during the recent World Cup final. His main aim, he said, was to show the right kind of leadership and sportsmanship.
What happened during the match
The moment took place when Arshdeep threw the ball, and it accidentally struck Mitchell on his thigh pads. The incident didn’t go down well, especially since Arshdeep didn’t apologise immediately. This led to Mitchell confronting him, and the situation had to be calmed down by Suryakumar and the umpires.Because of the act, Arshdeep was fined 15% of his match fee and also received a demerit point from the ICC. Despite the tension, things settled later. Arshdeep apologised publicly after the match, and both players shook hands once the game ended. India went on to win comfortably by 96 runs and retained the trophy.
Suryakumar Yadav’s leadership approach
Talking about the incident later, Suryakumar downplayed the seriousness, saying such things can happen in the heat of the moment.“Heat of the moment mein kabhi kabhi ho jaata hai (It happens in the heat of the moment sometimes). At that time, you don’t fully understand what is happening. But later, I told paaji, that this is not how it happens. He then spoke to Mitchell, and it was a light moment,” he told PTI Videos.However, he made it clear that as a captain, he felt responsible for setting the right example on the field. That’s why he personally went to Mitchell to apologise, regardless of whether the act was intentional or not.“He took it in his stride. But it was very important for me to go and tell Daryl Mitchell myself, because as a leader, what example you set on the ground, that is also also very important,” he added.“So I went and told him (Mitchell) the same thing, if Arshdeep did it deliberately, then I am sorry. And even if he did not do it deliberately, I am sorry.”
Arshdeep’s apology
After the match, Arshdeep also addressed the incident and clarified that there was no intention behind the throw.“Just want to apologise to Mitchell. My throw reverse-swung and hit him so just wanted to say sorry to him for that. It was not intentional,” he had said.
