Gambhir said players are ‘bound to show aggression’ because ‘there are no friends on the cricket field’ This kind of ‘reaction’ will encourage the cricketers to hit two sixes. It happened in the 11th over of the second innings in the final. Chasing 256 runs, New Zealand was heading towards defeat While Mitchell took two sixes from Arshdeep in the first two balls, the fifth ball of the over saw Mitchell push a wide yorker to the bowler and the left-arm pacer hit the stumps on the rebound.

Usually, bowlers hit the stumps to show aggression. But Arshdeep’s return ball touches Mitchell’s body. The Kiwis got angry at the incident and said something to the pacer, who turned back, but was warned by the on-field umpires. Meanwhile, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav also spoke to Mitchell. Arshdeep finally apologizes to Mitchell after a few minutes.

Gambhir next to Arshdeep

Gambhir told ANI, “Well, you represent your country. You’re bound to be aggressive. There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s the kind of reaction I want from my players when a bowler hits two sixes. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Although not actually sad, I totally agree with it.” He added, “I was absolutely right. He doesn’t need to apologise. Yes, he apologized. It’s good for him. But there are no friends on the cricket field. There are no enemies.”

The spectators present at the ground in Ahmedabad also encouraged Arshdeep at that moment. After India became T20 World Cup champions, Arshdeep joked that his throw ‘reverse swung’ and hit the opposition, and soon, he and Mitchell were also seen laughing about the incident. But the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed a demerit point and a fine of 15% of the match fee on the Indian pacer.