There was a time when cricket was more of a gentleman’s game played between two teams that were friends on and off the field. But in today’s world, the sport has turned into a high octane drama, played between two teams that are willing to do whatever it takes, to snatch the victory from the other’s grasp. However, at times the stakes are so high in the game that players take some actions that are often considered against the spirit of the game.
Something similar happened in match 41 of VIVO IPL, which was played between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders. It was the last ball of the 19th over when Rishabh Pant blocked a good yorker by Venkatesh Iyer to cover the region and scampered for a single. The fielder quickly threw the ball towards the non-striker’s end, and it ricochets off Pant’s bant which took it away from the bowler covering for the throw. Ashwin had a great awareness of what had happened and called for a second run, which the duo completed comfortably.
Now, according to the spirit of the game, generally, if a ball has ricochet off a batsman’s pads, bat, or any other body part, they don’t take the run. Although this is not a written rule, hence nobody is obliged to follow it. But Morgan and Tim Southee were not happy with Ashwin taking that single and when Southee got Ashwin’s wicket in the next over, he gave the off-spinner a sendoff. And knowing the nature of Ashwin, he wasn’t going to take it lightly and he said something back to the bowler. Then it was seen that Eion Morgan the KKR captain was also indulged in a verbal spat with Ashwin and they were separated by Dinesh Kartik.
Two days after the incident had drawn the attention of netizens, Ashwin posted a thread of tweets on his Twitter handle, where he mentioned that Morgan called him a disgrace. To which he addressed by tweeting: “No, I stood up for myself and that’s what my teachers and parents have taught me… pls teach your children to stand up for themselves.”
Addressing the spirit of the game in question he added, ‘In Morgan and Southee’s world of cricket they can choose and stick to whatever they believe is right or wrong. But they do not have the right to take a moral high ground and use derogatory words.”
1. I turned to run the moment I saw the fielder throw and dint know the ball had hit Rishabh.
2. Will I run if I see it!?
Of course I will and I am allowed to.
3. Am I a disgrace like Morgan said I was?
Of course NOT.— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 30, 2021
4. Did I fight?
No, I stood up for myself and that’s what my teachers and parents taught me to do and pls teach your children to stand up for themselves.
In Morgan or Southee’s world of cricket they can choose and stick to what they believe is right or wrong but do not have the— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 30, 2021
right to take a moral high ground and use words that are derogatory.
What’s even more surprising is the fact that people are discussing this and also trying to talk about who is the good and bad person here!
To all the ‘Cricket is a gentleman’s game’ fans in the house’:⬇️⬇️⬇️
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 30, 2021
There are millions of cricketers with several thought processes that play this great game to make it their careers, teach them that an extra run taken due to a poor throw aimed to get you out can make your career and an extra yard stolen by the non striker can break your career
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 30, 2021
Do not confuse them by telling them that you will be termed a good person if you refuse the run or warn the non striker, because all these people who are terming you good or bad have already made a living or they are doing what it takes to be successful elsewhere.
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 30, 2021
This is not the first time that Ashwin has been amid controversy regarding the spirit of the game. Only two years ago, in the IPL 2019, he was questioned for Mankading Jos Butler during an IPL match.
