'You made him feel small': R Ashwin hits out at Rishabh Pant for not backing Digvesh Rathi
Image credit: BCCI/IPL
NEW DELHI: Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been under scrutiny himself since the controversial run-out of Jos Buttler in IPL 2019, stood firmly in support of Lucknow Super Giants bowler Digvesh Rathi on Wednesday.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin dissected the incident involving Rathi's attempt to dismiss Royal Challengers Bengaluru's stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker's end during their IPL 2025 clash in Lucknow.
"As an owner of LSG, I will be thinking that I need Jitesh Sharma's wicket. If he has stepped outside the crease, he is out. Now let me dive into the technicality of the incident. Is he justified in being out if he stepped outside the crease before Digvesh Rathi got into the delivery stride? Yes.
Would it be bad for RCB? Yes, again, because they would not have liked Rathi or Pant if they did that. Now let's look into the real-case scenario.
When Rathi landed his front foot, Jitesh was inside the crease. So, this was not out. After breaking the stumps, umpire Michael Gough asked him whether he was appealing, and not whether he was sure. He said, 'Yes, I'm appealing.' So the decision went to the third umpire, and the right decision was made," Ashwin explained.
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However, what happened after the decision left Ashwin furious. The cameras showed LSG skipper
Rishabh Pant
withdrawing the appeal and embracing Jitesh, an act the commentators hailed as a great display of sportsmanship. Ashwin strongly disagreed with that narrative.
Zaheer Khan: 'Rishabh Pant's calibre and ability never in doubt'
"Until now, everything was right. But after that, commentators started saying that Pant has withdrawn the appeal - what an amazing act of sportsmanship. Grow out of this.
Pant is a fantastic cricketer. He scored a stunning century, and I know he will go on to do great things in cricket. I am already looking forward to the England series just to see how he will bat and help India win. I am a big fan of Pant. I'm clarifying it yet again before being targeted by people.
But think, you are the father of Rathi, and his captain, in front of crores of people, criticised him. He actually went over the board.
A captain's job is to back the bowler and not make himself feel small," Ashwin added.
WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED
The incident took place in the 17th over of Rathi's spell. With Royal Challengers Bengaluru needing 29 runs off the final 19 balls, Rathi attempted to run Jitesh Sharma out at the non-striker's end.
He paused before delivering the ball and removed the bails when he spotted Jitesh stepping out of his crease.
IPL 2025: What went wrong for Delhi Capitals?
Rathi went on to appeal for the dismissal.
However, the third umpire, after reviewing the footage, ruled that the bowler had already completed his delivery stride and crossed the popping crease. The decision of 'not out' was flashed on the big screen. Simultaneously, LSG captain Pant also withdrew the appeal and hugged Jitesh, a moment that was widely praised as an act of sportsmanship. Nonetheless, Pant's gesture had no bearing on the outcome, as the appeal was already invalid under the rules.
WHAT THE RULE SAYS
According to MCC Law 38.3.1: "At any time from the moment the ball comes into play until the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the non-striker is liable to be run out..."
Further clarity is provided in subsections 38.3.1.1 and 38.3.1.2, which state that the non-striker can be dismissed only until "the moment the bowler's arm reaches the highest point of his/her normal bowling action in the delivery swing."
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