Ravichandran Ashwin faces huge accusation in ongoing TNPL season: 'Despite repeated warnings...'

Ravichandran Ashwin, who had recently represented Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, is currently representing defending champions Dindigul Dragons in the ongoing season of the Tamil Nadu Premier League. read more

Indian spin legend Ravichandran Ashwin has been accused of ball-tampering in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League. Madurai Panthers had recently submitted a written complaint to the TNPL accusing Ashwin and current title holders Dindigul Dragons of tampering with the ball on Saturday, 14 June, according to The Indian Express.

TNPL demands proof from Madurai franchise over Ashwin accusation

TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan, however, has since demanded proof from the Panthers to back their accusation against the iconic off-spinner, who had abruptly retired from international cricket during the tour of Australia in December, signing off with more than 700 international wickets to his name.

And he even said that the Madurai franchise will face sanctions for leveling such an accusation against Ashwin if they fail to furnish proof.

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“They have filed a complaint, which we have acknowledged. Though they have to lodge any complaints within 24 hours of the game, we have still accepted it and have asked them to furnish proof of their allegations,” Prasanna told the newspaper.

“We will be forming an independent committee if we find there is any truth to their allegations. Without sufficient evidence, it is wrong to put forth such allegations against a player and another franchise. If they don’t provide any evidence, then Madurai will face due sanctions,” he added.

In their complaint, the Panthers have alleged that Ashwin and his Dragons teammates used towels treated with chemicals to wipe the ball, which resulted in it getting heavier and producing a metallic sound upon contact with bat.

“A serious case of ball tampering occurred during our recent match against Dindigul Dragons. Despite repeated warnings, the Dindigul team blatantly tampered with the ball, using towels that appeared to have been treated with chemicals,” Madurai franchise COO S Mahesh had written in his complaint to the TNPL.

What happened in the Dragons-Panthers game

The match in question had taken place in Salem on Saturday, in which the Dragons cruised to a nine-wicket victory after chasing down the 151-run target set by the Panthers with nearly eight overs to spare.

Ashwin had bowled four economical overs in which he conceded 27 runs and later opened the innings, scoring a 29-ball 49 and sharing a 124-run opening stand with Shivam Singh, who remained unbeaten on 86 and saw his team home.

The ongoing TNPL is taking place at a time when several parts of the country, including the southern state of Tamil Nadu, witnesses the onset of the monsoon season. Players therefore are seen wiping the ball with towels provided by the league more often than not due to a wet outfield.

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Ashwin had recently been fined 30 per cent of his match fee for an on-field outburst over an umpiring decision earlier in the TNPL season. The said incident had taken place during Dragons’ match against Tiruppur Tamizhans on 8 June in which the 38-year-old was adjudged LBW off R Sai Kishore’s bowling despite the ball appearing to have pitched outside leg.

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