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In a dramatic twist during the high-stakes IPL 2025 clash between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Lucknow, veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has openly criticized Rishabh Pant for withdrawing a crucial run-out appeal, calling it a "humiliation" of young bowler Digvesh Rathi on a national stage.
The controversy unfolded in a tense moment when Rathi attempted a non-striker run-out on RCB skipper Jitesh Sharma, catching him marginally outside the crease. While the third umpire deemed the delivery invalid for a run-out that Rathi had already completed his stride, the bigger surprise came when Pant withdrew the appeal altogether, drawing applause for his "sportsmanship."
But Ashwin wasn’t impressed.
Ashwin's Strong Words: “Support Your Bowlers”
Speaking on his show Ash ki Baat, the veteran off-spinner did not hold back.
“A captain’s job is to back a player, not make a bowler feel small,” Ashwin said, adding that decisions like these should be made before such moments arise. “You don’t scar a youngster like this in front of crores of people.”
Ashwin, who has been a vocal proponent of bowlers’ rights, especially in "Mankading" or non-striker run-out debates—emphasized that such dismissals are legitimate and that there should be no shame in attempting them.
“Why should a bowler feel insulted for doing what’s well within the rules? The batsman taking that extra step can win or lose you the match.”
“It’s Not About Friendship, It’s About Fairness”
Interestingly, Ashwin made it clear that his support wasn’t personal.
“Digvesh Rathi is not my friend or relative—I don’t even know him. But this is about fairness. Why should a bowler be publicly embarrassed for following the rulebook?”
He further warned that the public spectacle may deter young bowlers from standing their ground or enforcing fair play rules in future.
RCB Marches On, But the Debate Rages
Meanwhile, RCB rode on a sensational 83-run knock from Jitesh Sharma, securing a spot in Qualifier 1 where they’ll take on Punjab Kings in a blockbuster clash tomorrow. But even as the on-field action heats up, the off-field conversation around sportsmanship vs. bowler's rights is now trending.
Time to Protect Bowlers Too?
Ashwin’s bold stand has reignited the long-standing debate around non-striker run-outs, sportsmanship, and the role of captains in high-pressure moments. While Rishabh Pant earned applause for his gesture, Ashwin’s words serve as a sharp reminder that respect and protection should flow both ways — not just towards batters, but bowlers too.
In a game increasingly defined by razor-thin margins, can cricket afford to keep sending mixed signals on what’s fair play?
