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3 hours ago
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Ashwin had gone wicketless with the ball during the match in question before scoring 49 as an opener. (Image Credit: TNPL)
Ravichandran Ashwin and his Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) side Dindigul Dragons have been cleared of ball-tampering by the league. It also gave the Madurai Panthers, who made the accusation, the option of requesting an independent enquiry into the incident while warning them that they will face disciplinary action if their allegations turn out to be baseless.
Madurai had alleged that Dindigul used towels treated with chemicals that resulted in the ball getting heavier and produced metallic sound when it came into contact with the bat. “The towels in question were TNCA-issued and equally available to both teams,” the TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan said in a statement. ‘The Playing Control Team-including umpires and the match referee-maintained full oversight of the ball throughout the match. No concerns were raised during play, and no verifiable evidence has been provided. The claims appear speculative and post-facto in nature.”
The match in question started after a brief delay following a short downpour in Salem, following which Madurai batted first and made 150/8 in 20 overs, which Dindigul overhauled in 12.3 overs and 9 wickets to spare. Ashwin had gone wicketless with the ball before scoring 49 as an opener. The tournament itself has been hampered by rain as it coincides with the monsoon season in Tamil Nadu.
Factoring in the damp conditions, The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association provides towels to each of the franchises and players are allowed to use it to dry the ball only in front of the umpires. “They have to dry the ball only using the towels provided by TNPL. And every time the ball is hit for a six or immediately after a dismissal and over-break, umpires regularly check the ball and they didn’t find any issue with the ball during the said match,” Kannan had earlier told the Indian Express.
‘Baseless or defamatory allegations may lead to disciplinary action’
If the franchise still wants to pursue the matter, the TNPL said that they can go for an independent enquiry but a formal request for the same has to be raised by 3pm IST on Tuesday. “Should the franchise possess credible and verifiable evidence, they may submit a formal request for an Independent Commission of Enquiry by 3 PM on 17th June, along with supporting material (video, photographic, or testimonial),” it said.
It then stated: “TNCA cautions that baseless or defamatory allegations may lead to disciplinary action under the TNCA Code of Conduct and Operational Rules.”
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