An angry Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday asked Eoin Morgan and Tim Southee to not use “derogatory” words and lecture him on ‘Spirit of Cricket’ by taking a moral high ground after their on-field bust-up over an extra run during an IPL game. During Tuesday’s IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders, Ashwin tried to take a run after a throw from the deep by Rahul Tripathi had ricocheted off his partner Rishabh Pant’s body.
Morgan and Ashwin then had an altercation with the England white-ball skipper calling the Indian a “disgrace” and accusing him of not adhering to the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ despite MCC rules allowing runs after rebound from a batsman’s body. England were also awarded four runs after a throw from the deep had rebounded off Ben Stokes’ bat during the 2019 World Cup final, and the umpire had signalled overthrows, leading to their title triumph.
On Tuesday, after Ashwin was dismissed by fast bowler Southee, the bowler had apparently rebuked the senior India star by saying, “That’s what happens when you cheat”. Soon Ashwin was seen charging towards Morgan and Southee, prompting Dinesh Karthik to intervene and douse the fire. In a series of tweets, Ashwin clarified his stand and made it clear that he would again run if the ball hit a fielder’s body.
“1. I turned to run the moment I saw the fielder throw and dint (didn’t) 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,” Ashwin said. He then told Morgan and Southee that ‘Spirit of Cricket’ can’t be different strokes for different folks.
“Did I fight? No, I stood up for myself and that’s what my teachers and parents taught me to do and pls (please) 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 further wrote.
