Ravichandran Ashwin was perfectly within his rights to go for the extra run because he didn’t realize the ball had hit Rishabh Pant’s arm, according to former New Zealand cricketer-turned-commentator Simon Doull.
During the last Delhi Capitals–Kolkata Knight Riders match, a huge dispute erupted when Ashwin and Pant ran a single after the toss hit the latter’s arm.
“I have seen the footage, I was calling the incident and I don’t believe for one second that Ashwin knew that the ball had hit Rishabh Pant, not for one second. He is turning as the throw goes. The ball does not deviate in any other direction. So, Ashwin doesn’t know, he calls for the extra run and he is well within his right to do that.” he said
Therefore, Following the incident, Morgan and Tim Southee gave Ashwin a rousing send-off, resulting in a heated exchange between him and the KKR captain.
Shane Warne
Following the match, players like Shane Warne jumped into the fray, accusing Ashwin of violating the elusive “Spirit of Cricket.”
Thus, He clarified that he was unaware at the time that the ball had struck Pant’s arm, but that even if he had known. Although he would have gone for the run because he was completely within his rights to do so under the rules of the game.
Pant, according to the former pacer, should have gone to the umpire and the opposition captain instead of claiming the additional run.
“It’s all on Rishabh Pant. He is the skipper. Thus, He knew it’s his hand. He should have gone to the umpire and (Eoin) Morgan and say ‘listen, I want to make the run back. It’s hit my glove and we have gone through with the run. I want to take it back. This is all on Rishabh Pant, he is the captain, he knows what he should have done and he didn’t do it at the time.” he said
He went on to say that because of his stance on running out a batsman at the non-striker end, Ashwin has become an easy target for the spirit of cricket’ merchants.
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