"Bowling no-balls is a crime"- Hardik Pandya lashes out at Arshdeep Singh for bowling freebies vs SL in 2nd T20I 

Chasing the target of 207 runs, India fell short and only managed 190/8 in their 20 overs. However, in the end, it came down to the no-balls India bowled during their innings. The host bowled seven no-balls, resulting in seven free hits, which conceded 22 runs.

Five out of seven no-balls were bowled by left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who made his comeback into the side after recovering from injury. He had a nightmare of a game and gave away 37 runs in just two overs.

After the game, even the Indian skipper, Hardik Pandya, accepted that India was not professional when it came to bowling and bowled too many extra deliveries, which became the difference in the end. Apart from Arshdeep, one no-ball each was bowled by Shivam Mavi and Umran Malik.

Hardik said in the post-match presentation that India couldn't start well with both the bat and the ball. He stated that the team made basic errors, which are not acceptable. For Sri Lanka, Kusal Mendis (52 off 31) and skipper Dasun Shanaka (56* off 22) helped them cross the 200-run mark.

Hardik said, "In past as well Arshdeep has bowled no-balls. It is not about blaming but no Bal is a crime. You can have bad day but shouldn't be going away from basics. In this situation it is very difficult."

The left-arm pacer has registered an unwanted record of bowling most no-balls in an over in T20I cricket for India. Earlier, he himself held the record for bowling yeo no-balls in the 2022 Asia Cup against Hong Kong.

India came close to the target, thanks to the 6-wicket partnership between Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav for 91 runs that helped India get back on track. SKY made 51 off 36 with three fours and three sixes, while Axar scored his maiden T20I fifty off just 20 balls and made 65 off 31, with three fours and six sixes.