Ashwin Under Scrutiny in TNPL: Accusations of Ball Tampering Surface
Ravichandran Ashwin is once again making headlines in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). Just a few days after facing punishment for an incident involving an on-field umpire, he has now been accused of ball tampering by one of the league teams.
The Siechem Madurai Panthers, a team competing in the TNPL, filed a formal complaint against Ashwin and his squad, the Dindigul Dragons. This accusation arose from their match on June 14 at the SCF Cricket Ground in Salem. The Panthers claim that Ashwin’s team used towels, said to be treated with chemicals, to modify the condition of the cricket ball. They assert that this tampering occurred despite receiving multiple warnings during the match.
However, TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan downplayed the accusations. He called on the Madurai Panthers to present solid evidence to back their claims against Ashwin and the Dindigul franchise. "They have submitted a complaint, which we’ve acknowledged. Even though complaints should be made within 24 hours post-match, we’ve still accepted it and asked them to provide proof," Prasanna stated.
He added that if there’s any validity to the accusations, an independent committee will be formed to investigate. He also warned that if the Panthers fail to produce evidence, they could face penalties themselves. Furthermore, Prasanna clarified that the TNPL allows the use of league-provided towels for drying the ball, especially during the rainy season in Tamil Nadu.
Ashwin Shines with the Bat
The match in question had a rain delay at the start. Batting first, the Madurai Panthers managed to score 150 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 20 overs, after Ashwin opted to field first. Atheeq Ur Rahman was the standout performer for the Panthers, scoring a half-century.
Ashwin delivered a solid bowling performance, allowing only 27 runs over four overs. His teammates G Periyasamy and DT Chandrasekhar each took two wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy and Sandeep Warrier also made contributions with the ball.
In response, Ashwin shone with the bat as he led the chase with a brisk 49 runs off just 29 balls, continuing his impressive form as an opener this season. His innings consisted of three sixes and six fours. However, the spotlight shifted to his opening partner Shivam Singh, who dazzled with an explosive 86 runs off 41 balls, helping Dindigul chase down the target in just over 12 overs.
Earlier in the season, Ashwin had already faced a fine for showing dissent toward an umpire during a match against the Tiruppur Tamizhans. The defending champions, Dindigul, currently sit in fifth position with two wins from three matches. They are scheduled to face the Chepauk Super Gillies next, on June 16, in Salem.
