Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed strong disapproval of Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant’s decision to retract Digvesh Rathi’s run-out appeal during a recent IPL encounter. The incident, which occurred during the final league match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), involved Rathi attempting to run out Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker’s end. Although the appeal was initially made, Pant chose to withdraw it, drawing mixed reactions — with Ashwin calling the move disrespectful and damaging to the young bowler’s confidence.
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The Controversial Dismissal Attempt
In the 17th over of RCB’s chase, LSG’s Digvesh Rathi attempted a legitimate mode of dismissal by running out Jitesh Sharma, who had prematurely stepped out of the crease at the non-striker’s end. The incident was referred to the third umpire after Rathi removed the bails and confirmed the appeal.
Replays showed that while Jitesh had left his crease, Rathi had already completed his delivery stride — prompting the third umpire to rule the batter ‘not out’ as per the laws of the game. However, what turned heads was what followed next: Rishabh Pant’s withdrawal of the appeal, which led to applause from commentators and even a hug from Jitesh — celebrating what was deemed by many as an act of “sportsmanship.”
Ashwin’s Strong Reaction: “You Will Scar a Bowler”
Ashwin, who has long defended the legitimacy of running out batters at the non-striker’s end, took issue not with the umpire’s call, but with Pant’s withdrawal of the appeal and the subsequent framing of the moment as admirable.
“Digvesh Rathi is not my relative. He is not my friend. I don’t know who he is. But I am saying… You will scar a bowler so much that it will really affect him,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. “But because nobody really cares about a bowler, so in front of crores of people, should we withdraw his appeal and insult him?“
The Technicalities Explained
Ashwin methodically broke down the technicalities of the dismissal attempt and reinforced that Rathi acted within the rules.
“Let me dive into the technicalities of this incident. Is Jitesh Sharma justified in being out if he stepped out of the crease before he (Rathi) got into the delivery stride? Yes, he is justified in being given out and the bowler is also well-justified,” he explained.
Despite the not-out decision due to Rathi completing his delivery stride, Ashwin emphasized that all parties had followed the rules — yet, Pant’s withdrawal and the subsequent praise made it seem like Rathi had committed an unethical act.
A Captain’s Role: Protect, Don’t Publicly Criticize
According to Ashwin, the larger issue lies in the way Pant handled the situation as a leader.
“Come on, yaar. Let’s grow out of this. I am asking one question. Think about it, Digvesh Rathi is your son. Whoever is watching this video, he is your son, and Digvesh Rathi’s captain has criticised his decision in front of crores of people,” Ashwin said.
“A captain’s job is actually to back a player. Alright? A captain’s job is to not make a bowler feel small.”
This public rebuke, Ashwin argued, has long-term implications for young cricketers, especially bowlers who already face an uphill battle for recognition and respect.
The Lasting Impact on Young Bowlers
Ashwin expressed concern that Rathi might now be hesitant to attempt such dismissals in the future, fearing public embarrassment rather than focusing on the laws of the game.
“We don’t know if he [Pant] already spoke to them [LSG camp] or not,” Ashwin added. “But let’s stop this vilification of that youngster in front of crores and crores of people. Do we do that to anybody else? Why does a bowler look small? It is actually a humiliation.”
He further stated: “What happens is [that] a bowler feels so small that he will never do it and people will say in the comment section that he should not do it. Why? Why shouldn’t he do it?”
Ashwin’s critique isn’t just about one incident — it reflects a broader issue in cricket culture where bowlers, particularly those attempting non-traditional dismissals, are unfairly judged. He has consistently advocated for normalization of run-outs at the non-striker’s end, seeing them not as unsporting, but as a legitimate deterrent against batters seeking unfair advantages.
Pant’s gesture may have earned him praise in the moment, but as Ashwin rightly pointed out, it came at the cost of a young bowler’s confidence and could send the wrong message to aspiring cricketers. In a sport where batters often steal the spotlight, backing bowlers — especially when they operate within the rules — is a leadership responsibility that should not be undermined by performative morality.
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FAQs
What happened between Digvesh Rathi and Jitesh Sharma?
Rathi attempted to run out Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker’s end, but Pant later withdrew the appeal during the match against RCB.
Why did R Ashwin criticize Rishabh Pant during the IPL?
Ashwin criticized Pant for withdrawing Digvesh Rathi’s run-out appeal, calling it disrespectful and damaging to the bowler’s confidence.
Did the third umpire declare Jitesh Sharma out?
No, the third umpire ruled Jitesh not out as Rathi had completed his delivery stride before breaking the stumps.
What is Ashwin’s stance on non-striker run-outs?
Ashwin supports running out non-strikers who leave the crease early and believes it’s a legitimate form of dismissal.
How did Ashwin react to Pant being praised for sportsmanship?
Ashwin opposed the praise, saying it humiliated the bowler and set a poor example by not backing his teammate.
