3 Instances when a no-ball cost India in an ICC event

Bowling a no-ball is considered a crime in cricket, especially when the stakes are high. It provides the opposition with an extra run across all the formats, and an all-important free hit in the limited-over games. The free-hit keeps the batters safe from dismissals, other than run-out, hitting the ball twice, and obstructing the field.

Although there have been some bowlers who are yet to deliver a single no-ball in their international career, there are quite a few who have committed the mistake of overstepping the popping crease or bowling a beamer.  In an uncertain sport like cricket, a no-ball can take the game away from the teams easily even after the side did well for most of the duration of the fixture.

Many teams have suffered heartbreaks after a no-ball cost them a crucial match in major tournaments. But, it is the Indian team who have been affected by it the most in the last few years.

Here are 3 Instances when a no-ball cost India in an ICC event:

1. 2016 T20 World Cup Semi-Final 

This heartbreak due to the unforced error for the Indian team and its cricket fans occurred during the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final. After the loss to New Zealand in their first group match, the Indian team secured victory over Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Australia and entered the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals, they met the mighty West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Caribbean team was also in good form ahead of this fixture after winning against England, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. They chose to field first on this venue known to assist the teams batting second. The Indian team put up a strong score of 192 on the board on the back of Virat Kohli’s 89*, and crucial contributions from Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane, too.

The first no-ball was delivered by Ravichandran Ashwin in the seventh over, where Lendl Simmons was caught at short third-man, but received a reprieve. Then, the next occasion arrived when Hardik Pandya conceded a no-ball, after Simmons could not clear the cover fielder, and was dismissed. Then Simmons remained unbeaten on 82 off 51 balls to take the West Indies team to the semi-finals, and ultimately lift the trophy.