Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar tore into West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph over his lack of sportsmanship during the 4th T20I in Hyderabad on Wednesday. This came after Joseph bouncer hit India’s tail-ender Arshdeep Singh on the shoulder, leaving his fellow pacer in pain. Despite visible discomfort, Arshdeep decided to continue his knock, with India needing 30 runs off the final ball. Even India captain Shreyas Iyer urged Arshdeep to get retired hurt and leave the field immediately, but the pacer opted against it.

On the next delivery, Arshdeep once again decided to leave his stumps unguarded in order to clear the boundary. However, Joseph bowled another short ball aimed at Arshdeep’s injured shoulder. Fortunately, the ball did not strike Arshdeep this time and went away for four byes and a wide. Throughout the over, Arshdeep left the stumps and tried to pull Joseph.

However, Joseph’s antics left Gavaskar fuming in the commentary box. The legendary batter slammed the visitors’ pacer for “aiming at Arshdeep” instead of the stumps, which had been left unprotected.

“He is aiming at him,” Gavaskar was heard saying on air. “Why attack the batter when the stumps are right there?”

Arshdeep was unable to continue after narrowly avoiding being hit a second time. He was retired hurt on 5 as the West Indies won the match by 24 runs to level the series.

Arshdeep’s injury setback could be a huge blow for India if he is unable to play in the series decider in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Meanwhile, captain Shai Hope laid the foundation for the West Indies’ series-levelling win with an unbeaten 102 off just 50 balls.

Keemo Paul then took 5/41 to derail India’s chase.