Ravichandran Ashwin said he didn't know the ball had deflected off Rishabh Pant's body, when he took the overthrow that offended Eoin Morgan and Tim Southee.
Follow Us
Delhi Capitals (DC) spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took to social media platform Twitter on Thursday to hit back at those who were criticising him, following a controversial incident in the previous IPL 2021 encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Ashwin attempted to complete a second run after the ball hit Rishabh Pant’s bat, which resulted in a war of words with pacer Tim Southee and Eoin Morgan. Legendary Australian cricketer Shane Warne had recently termed the spinner’s decision as a “disgraceful” one, further terming the incident as something which should not happen again.
Ashwin has never held back from speaking his mind and he did the same even in this instance, slamming all those who attempted to define the “spirit of the game”.
” 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. 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 right to take a moral high ground and use words that are derogatory,” he said.
“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’: 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. 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,” added Ashwin in the tweet.
“Give your heart and soul on the field and play within the rules of the game and shake your hands once the game is over. The above is the only ‘spirit of the game’ I understand,” concluded the spinner.
The Delhi-based franchise has been extremely impressive during the ongoing second half of IPL 2021, pulling off wins with consistency. Pant has been very impressive in the role of a skipper, showcasing his prowess through thick and thin. It will be interesting to see if DC can go on to win their maiden edition of the IPL.
