India lost to Pakistan in the 2022 Asian Cup Super 4 match at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday. Many cricket fans and pundits commented that Ashdeep Singh gave up Asif Ali’s catch in the 18th innings as the turning point of the game. As always, Arshdeep was brutally held by cricket fans around the world as he dropped a match-winning catch. However, things got out of hand when Arshdeep’s Wikipedia page was edited to show the Khalistan connection.
On Monday, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology summoned executives from Wikipedia India to explain the matter. According to India Today, the central government believes that changes to the Arshdeep Wikipedia page could lead to discord in India. Changes on Arshdeep’s side show him being picked to play for the Khalistani national cricket team. However, the site was later restored.
Meanwhile, Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh supported Arshdeep Singh by tweeting. “Stop criticizing young @arshdeepsinghh. No one dropped it on purpose. We are proud of our kids. Pakistan played better. Arsh is gold,” Harbhajan Singh tweeted.
Opener Abhinav Mukund took to Twitter to recall how he felt after tossing Steve Smith’s short legs to 37 during the 2017 Pune Test. Smith continued the race-winning century for Australia. He asked fans not to treat Arshdeep harshly for conceding the ball.
“I was alone in the room for hours after leaving Steve Smith behind in the Pune test, very sad. I really hope @arshdeepsinghh doesn’t think like that. He’ll be better than anyone in our country tonight Exhausted. Let’s slow down!”
Former Indian left-arm pacer Irfan Pathan tweeted: “Arshdeep is a strong man. Keep it up boy. My request to all the fans of the Indian team. In sport, as human beings, we will commit Mistakes. Please don’t shame anyone for these mistakes @arshdeepsinghh,” former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafez tweeted. Arshdeep’s IPL page The King of Punjab also tweeted in support of him. “We’re with you, Ash.”
India’s next Super Four in the 2022 Asian Cup will be against Sri Lanka in Dubai on Tuesday.