IPL 2021 in UAE: Delhi Capitals’ Ashwin hits back in spat with Morgan, Southee, says he’s not a ‘disgrace’
Heated argument took place about a deflected overthrow in Tuesday’s match in Sharjah
Mumbai: India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has hit back at England captain Eoin Morgan and New Zealand seamer Tim Southee over their heated argument about a deflected overthrow during Tuesday’s Indian Premier League match in Sharjah.
Delhi Capitals’ Ashwin riled the Kolkata Knight Riders players when he took a run after a throw from a fielder deflected off Rishabh Pant at the non-striker’s end in the penultimate over of their innings.
Morgan, who leads the Knight Riders, and Southee made their displeasure clear to Ashwin in the next over when he was dismissed by the Black Caps bowler.
Laws of the sport
Taking to Twitter today, Ashwin said he was not aware that the ball had deflected off Pant’s body when he set off for the overthrow.
“Will I run if I see it!? Of course I will and I am allowed to,” the off-spinner said. “Am I a disgrace like Morgan said I was? Of course NOT.”
While the laws of the sport do not bar a player from running overthrows off deflections, it is considered to be against the spirit of sportsmanship and batters generally refrain from taking any extra run when the ball ricochets off their body or playing equipment.
“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,” Ashwin said.
“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.”
Divided opinions
Ashwin divided opinions when he ran out Jos Buttler in his delivery stride after the batter had strayed out of the crease at the non-striker’s end during the 2019 IPL.
After reviewing footage of the incident the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), custodian of cricket’s laws, said Ashwin’s dismissal of Buttler was not ‘within the spirit of the game’.
Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne weighed in on the latest incident.
“The world shouldn’t be divided on this topic and Ashwin,” he tweeted. “It’s pretty simple - it’s disgraceful and should never happen. Why does Ashwin have to be that guy again? I think @Eoin16 (Morgan) had every right to nail him !!!!”