Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin Slams Right to Match Rule Ahead of Potential IPL ReinstatementIndian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has vehemently criticized the Right to Match (RTM) rule, which is being considered for reinstatement in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction. The BCCI is exploring the possibility of bringing back the RTM rule, sparking debates among players and franchise owners.Ashwin, in a video on his YouTube channel, expressed his strong opposition to the RTM rule, arguing that it deprives players of their true market value. He explained that the rule allows original teams to retain players by matching the highest bid, even if the player's value has increased during the auction. This, according to Ashwin, creates an unfair advantage for the original team and prevents players from receiving their deserved compensation."There is no rule more unfair for a player than RTM," Ashwin stated. "It does not give fair value to the player. If a player's value has gone up during the auction, the original team can simply match the highest bid without contributing to the increase. This leaves the player without the opportunity to achieve their true market worth."Ashwin emphasized that while the original team may benefit from the RTM rule, other franchises and the player himself may feel shortchanged. He argued that this undermines the integrity of the auction and prevents players from getting their deserved compensation."This leaves the player without the opportunity to achieve their true market worth," he reiterated, stressing that the rule benefits the original team disproportionately.The BCCI is currently engaged in discussions with franchise owners regarding the reinstatement of the RTM rule. The final decision will significantly impact the dynamics of the upcoming IPL auction.

Dindigul Dragons Triumph in TNPL Final, Led by Ashwin's HeroicsIn a thrilling climax to the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), Dindigul Dragons emerged victorious, claiming their maiden title with a six-wicket triumph over defending champions Lyca Kovai Kings. The final, held in Chennai on Sunday, witnessed a captivating display of skill and determination.Dindigul Dragons, chasing a modest target of 130 runs, relied on the steady hand of their captain, Ravichandran Ashwin. The all-rounder played a pivotal role, scoring a crucial 52 runs off 46 deliveries, including a four and three towering sixes. His partnership with Baba Indrajith, who contributed 32 runs off 35 balls, proved decisive in the team's victory.The Dragons' middle-order batsmen, guided by the calm and composed Ashwin, successfully chased down the target with 10 balls remaining. They scored 46 runs for the loss of two wickets during the powerplay, setting the tone for their eventual triumph.The Lyca bowlers, despite their best efforts, could only manage to pick up one wicket each during the innings. Gowtham Thamarai Kannan, Manimaran Siddharth, Valliappan Yudheeswaran, and Shahrukh each claimed a scalp, but it was not enough to prevent Dindigul's march to victory.Earlier, Dindigul's bowlers had kept the Lyca batters in check, taking wickets at regular intervals. Sandeep Warrier made the first breakthrough, dismissing Suresh Kumar in the third over. Varun Chakravarthy then struck twice in the sixth over, followed by P Vignesh dismissing Sai Sudharsan.Atheeq Ur Rahman and Ram Arvindh attempted to stage a comeback for the defending champions, forming a partnership of 36 runs for the fifth wicket. However, their efforts were thwarted when Subodh Bhati dismissed Rahman. Vignesh then added to Lyca's troubles by dismissing skipper Shahrukh Khan.Struggling at 105/6, Arvindh couldn't stay at the crease either, giving a catch to Sandeep Warrier. Cameos from the tail-enders pushed the score to 129/7, but it was not enough to challenge Dindigul's dominance.Ashwin finished with figures of 0/13 for Dindigul, while Vignesh (2/15) and Chakravarthy (2/26) were the standout performers.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's renowned off-spin wizard, showcased his exceptional batting prowess in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2024. Leading the Dindigul Dragons as captain, Ashwin played a pivotal role in his team's victory over the Chepauk Super Gillies in the Eliminator.Chasing a modest target of 159 in 20 overs, the Dragons lost an early wicket. However, Ashwin, batting at number three, displayed his versatility with a blistering knock. He started cautiously, but soon unleashed his power, smashing the fourth ball he faced for a towering six.Ashwin's innings was a symphony of power and precision. He struck four more sixes and four boundaries, amassing 57 runs off just 35 deliveries. His aggressive approach kept the Dragons in the hunt, and his dismissal in the 14th over did little to dampen their spirits.Inspired by Ashwin's heroics, the Dragons rallied to victory with one ball to spare and four wickets in hand. Ashwin's match-winning performance earned him the Man of the Match award.Ashwin's batting exploits in the TNPL 2024 are a testament to his all-round abilities. Despite being primarily known for his bowling prowess, he has consistently demonstrated his batting prowess in various formats. In Test cricket, he boasts five centuries and 14 half-centuries, while in ODIs, he has scored a fifty.The Dragons will now face IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans in Qualifier 2 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday. Ashwin's leadership and batting prowess will be crucial as the Dragons aim to secure a berth in the final.

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.

Ravichandran Ashwin's Humorous Mankading Warning in TNPL 2024Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian off-spinner, found himself in a comical situation during a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2024 match between the Nellai Royal Kings and the Dindigul Dragons. In a moment that left spectators and commentators in stitches, Ashwin received a warning for leaving the non-striker's end too early, despite keeping his bat grounded until the last possible moment.The incident occurred during the 15th over of the Dindigul Dragons' innings. Bowler Mohan Prasath, in a light-hearted gesture, issued the warning to Ashwin, who had been known to be a vocal advocate for the legality of "mankading," a method of dismissal where the bowler runs out the non-striker for backing up too far.The incident sparked laughter among the commentators, who couldn't resist poking fun at Ashwin's strict adherence to the rules. Star Sports shared a video of the moment on social media, with a caption that translated to, "Ash Anna be like: Headmaster of the school you studied in!"Ashwin's stance on mankading has been a topic of debate since he dismissed Jos Buttler in this manner during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019. While some argue that it is a fair and legal dismissal, others believe it goes against the spirit of the game.Despite the controversy, Ashwin remains a staunch supporter of mankading, arguing that it is within the rules of cricket and helps to prevent non-strikers from taking unfair advantage. His actions and statements continue to highlight the importance of adhering to the laws of the game and the ongoing debate surrounding the ethics of mankading.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as India's head coach culminated in a triumphant note as he led the team to a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final on June 29. The victory marked India's first ICC title in 11 years, a moment that deeply moved veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, described the emotional moment when Dravid embraced the ICC T20 World Cup trophy and shed tears. "I saw him hug the cup and cry. Rahul Dravid screamed and cried. I saw him enjoy it. I felt that a lot," Ashwin said.Dravid, a batting legend, had never won an ICC title during his playing career. His tenure as coach was marked by both success and adversity, including the early elimination from the 2007 50-over World Cup.Despite the challenges, Ashwin praised Dravid's unwavering dedication and hard work. "I know what he has been doing with this team for the past two-three years. I know how balanced he has been. I know how hard he has worked to change this approach," Ashwin said.In the T20 World Cup final, India's batting duo of Virat Kohli and Axar Patel played crucial roles in setting a competitive target. Kohli's impressive knock of 76 runs, combined with Patel's quick-fire 47, helped India reach a total of 176 for 7.The Indian bowlers faced a challenging task in defending the total, but they held their nerves in a tense finish. The pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh proved instrumental in securing the victory. Bumrah's miserly spell of 2/18, Pandya's crucial 3/20, and Arshdeep's equally critical 2/20 in the death overs suffocated the opposition's chase, ultimately leading to a narrow seven-run win for India.The victory marked India's second T20 World Cup title, a fitting end to Dravid's tenure as coach. Gautam Gambhir will succeed Dravid as the new head coach, commencing his tenure with the upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian spinner, has recently showcased his exceptional batting skills in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). During a match between Dindigul Dragons and Chepauk Super Gillies, Ashwin opened the batting and smashed an unbeaten 45 off just 20 deliveries. His explosive knock included 3 fours and 4 sixes, resulting in a remarkable strike rate of 225.Despite the Dindigul Dragons' eventual defeat in a rain-curtailed match, Ashwin's batting prowess left both fans and experts in awe. The video of his innings went viral on social media, highlighting his versatility as a cricketer.Ashwin's batting exploits have not gone unnoticed. In a recent interview, he revealed that former Indian captain MS Dhoni played a pivotal role in his development as a bowler. Ashwin admitted that Dhoni initially did not recognize him, but under his leadership, he began to flourish as a powerplay bowler for Chennai Super Kings (CSK).Ashwin recalled a specific incident in 2010 when Dhoni was injured and Suresh Raina led the team. He struggled to perform during that period, but upon Dhoni's return, he was given a renewed opportunity. Dhoni recognized Ashwin's potential and used him effectively in the batting Powerplay, both for CSK and the Indian team.Ashwin expressed his admiration for Dhoni's unwavering belief in his abilities. He stated that Dhoni's simple and clear instructions helped him develop as a bowler. Ashwin's success as a spinner is a testament to Dhoni's astute leadership and his ability to identify and nurture talent.

Ravichandran Ashwin's autobiography, "I Have The Streets - A Kutty Cricket Story," is a captivating memoir that chronicles his journey from his humble beginnings to his triumphant role in India's 2011 World Cup victory. The 184-page book is a treasure trove of amusing anecdotes and insightful reflections on Ashwin's innovative mindset and unwavering commitment to the sport.One of the most gripping stories in the book revolves around an incident in Port Elizabeth (now known as Gqeberha) in 2010, during a limited overs match against South Africa. An enraged Mahendra Singh Dhoni instructed Ashwin to inform team manager Ranjib Biswal to book S Sreesanth on the next available flight back home. The reason behind this drastic decision was Sreesanth's repeated disregard for Dhoni's instructions to sit in the dug-out with other reserves for a massage in the dressing room.Ashwin's autobiography also delves into his controversial "Mankading" debut as a teenager and the pivotal role played by WV Raman in shaping him into a formidable off-spinner. While the book steers clear of sob stories and excessive dramatization, it offers readers an engaging and insightful look into the life and career of one of India's most talented cricketers.Ashwin's strong belief in adhering to the rules and maintaining fairness in the sport is evident throughout the book. He recalls an incident during a school cricket match when his father instructed him to dismiss the non-striker for gaining an unfair advantage by leaving the crease prematurely.The book also highlights Ashwin's deep respect for former India opener WV Raman, who is highly esteemed in Indian cricket for his technical expertise. Ashwin credits Raman with improving his technique by straightening his run-up from an angular one, which helped correct his alignment and enhanced his overall performance.

Ravichandran Ashwin, one of the most celebrated spinners in cricket history, has attributed his success to the guidance of legendary captain MS Dhoni. Ashwin, who began his career with the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) under Dhoni's leadership, has become a formidable force for Team India.Initially, Ashwin struggled to make an impact, but Dhoni's unwavering belief in his abilities proved pivotal. Dhoni recognized Ashwin's potential as a powerplay bowler and entrusted him with the responsibility. Despite some initial setbacks, Ashwin persevered and eventually became a key component of CSK's success.Dhoni's advice to Ashwin was simple yet profound: "Continue being funky." This mantra encouraged Ashwin to experiment with new variations and reinvent himself constantly. Even at the age of 37, Ashwin continues to add new tricks to his arsenal, keeping batters on their toes.Ashwin's admiration for Dhoni extends beyond his cricketing acumen. He credits Dhoni with instilling a mental strength and adaptability that has served him well throughout his career. Dhoni's ability to identify and nurture talent has also been evident in his handling of other players, such as Tushar Deshpande.Ashwin's journey under Dhoni's guidance is a testament to the importance of mentorship and belief in the potential of young players. Dhoni's unwavering support and encouragement have played a significant role in shaping Ashwin's career and transforming him into one of the most successful spinners in the world.