Ashwin Warned for Backing Up Too Far, Clarifies Rule

Ravichandran Ashwin, a staunch advocate of running out non-strikers, recently found himself on the receiving end of a warning for backing up too far. The incident occurred during a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match between his team, Dindigul Dragons, and Nellai Royal Kings.

In the 15th over, left-arm spinner Mohan Prasath halted his run-up after noticing Ashwin out of his crease. Replays revealed that while Ashwin was prematurely walking down the crease, his bat slipped out of the popping crease when Prasath stopped.

This incident sparked debates on social media. Some criticized Ashwin for experiencing the consequences of his own actions, while others argued that the warning was unwarranted as he gained no unfair advantage.

Ashwin himself took to Twitter to clarify the situation, posting a screenshot of the relevant law (38.3) which states that a non-striker is only liable to be run out when the ball is in play and the bowler is expected to release it. In this case, Ashwin would not have been out even if Prasath had dislodged the bails.

"Cos they don't know the rule," Ashwin tweeted in response to criticism that commentators failed to highlight this fact.

Meanwhile, Ashwin is currently not part of the Indian team for the ongoing white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. He is expected to return for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh.

In other news, India secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka with a seven-wicket victory in the rain-affected second match. The third and final T20I will be played on Tuesday in Pallekele, followed by a three-match ODI series.

Tags: #RavichandranAshwin, #TNPL, #NonStrikerRunOut, #CricketRules, #FairPlay