IPL 2025: Ashwin expressed displeasure over Rishabh Pant's decision, justified Digvesh Rathi's runout appeal

The last league match of IPL 2025 was full of excitement. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by six wickets and entered Qualifier-1. An incident related to this match is now a topic of discussion. Digvesh Rathi had appealed for a runout of Jitesh Sharma, which was rejected by the third umpire. Later Pant also withdrew the appeal. Now former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has stated on this issue.

What is the matter?

This incident is from the 17th over of RCB's innings. Jitesh was at the non-striker's end at that time. He had left the crease, and then Digvesh removed the bails. The replay showed that the batsman was outside the crease but the decision was rejected because the bowler (Digvesh) had completed his 'delivery stride'. But while all this was happening, Pant withdrew the appeal after which Jitesh hugged the fellow wicketkeeper-batsman. RCB won the match by six wickets.

Ashwin is not happy with Pant's decision.

This incident of Mankading, which took place in the last match of the league stage, is now in the headlines. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is also openly discussing it. He is not happy with Rishabh Pant's decision to withdraw the run-out appeal. Ashwin said that this was an insult to the bowler. Pant should have supported his bowler.

Ashwin said on YouTube, 'Let me look at the technicalities of this incident. Is it fair to give Jitesh Sharma out, if he (Rathi) stepped out of the crease before getting into the 'delivery stride'? Yes, it is fair to give him out and the bowler is also completely fair. Digvesh Rathi landed on the front foot and Jitesh Sharma was inside the crease. So in all technical possibilities, it is not out. But what happened? After the ball hit the stumps, (umpire) Michael Gough asked Digvesh Rathi (but) he didn't ask him, 'Are you sure?', he asked him if he is appealing.'

Ashwin also got angry at the commentator.

Ashwin further shed light on the matter and said, 'Rathi said, 'Yes, I am appealing.' So Gough went to the third umpire and the third umpire took the right decision. He has crossed his 'delivery stride', the batsman is inside the crease, my decision is, not out.' However, the Indian spin legend said that he did not like Pant withdrawing the appeal. He said, 'So far, everything is fine. The bowler hit, appealed, not out. This is normal. But what happened? After this, the commentator said during the match, 'Rishabh Pant has withdrawn the appeal. What an amazing sportsmanship.'

Pant insulted Digvesh: Ashwin.

During this, Ashwin said that Pant insulted Digvesh. He openly supported the bowler's decision. The former spinner further said, 'I am asking a question. Think about it. Whoever is watching this video. Digvesh Rathi's captain criticized his decision in front of crores of people. Look, the captain's job is to support his player. OK? The captain's job is not to make the bowler feel small. When deciding to withdraw the appeal, he should have done it earlier. We don't know if he has already talked to him or not. But let's stop condemning that young player in front of crores of people. Do we do this to anyone else? Why does a bowler look small? This is an insult.'