IPL 2021: Ashwin breaks silence on fight with KKR captain Eoin Morgan

On Tuesday’s match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Capitals, Ravichandran Ashwin left viewers divided after he attempted to sneak in a run, off an overthrow by Rahul Tripathi, when the ball had ricocheted off Rishabh Pant at the non-striker’s end. The act led to an altercation between Ashwin and KKR captain Eoin Morgan, with the latter calling Ashwin’s attitude disgraceful.

Explaining the event, Ashwin wrote a long thread on Twitter. The post read, “1. I turned to run the moment I saw the fielder throw and dint 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. 4. Did I fight? No, I stood up for myself and that’s what my teachers and parents taught me to do and pls 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. What’s even more surprising is the fact that people are discussing this and also trying to talk about who is the good and bad person here.

He added, “To all the ‘Cricket is a gentleman’s game’ fans in the house’: There are millions of cricketers with several thought processes that play this great game to make it their careers, teach them that an extra run taken due to a poor throw aimed to get you out can make your career and an extra yard stolen by the non striker can break your career. Do not confuse them by telling them that you will be termed a good person if you refuse the run or warn the non striker, because all these people who are terming you good or bad have already made a living or they are doing what it takes to be successful elsewhere. 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.”

KKR’s wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik earlier spoke about happened in the field that ensued the verbal spat. “I know that Rahul Tripathi threw the ball and it hit Rishabh Pant and then it ricocheted of that and Ashwin started to run. I do not think Morgan appreciates that, he is someone when the ball hits the batter, he expects them not to run because of the spirit of cricket. It is a very grey area, a very interesting topic. I have my own opinion on it but I can just say I am happy to play peacemaker and the thing has come to a good standstill right now,” he said.