R Ashwin came to Digvesh Rathi’s defence, strongly criticising Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant for his actions.
Ashwin Defends Digvesh Rathi, Slams Rishabh Pant for Public Humiliation
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, no stranger to controversy himself after the infamous 2019 run-out incident involving Jos Buttler, came out in strong defence of Digvesh Rathi, slamming Lucknow Super Giants captain Rishabh Pant for publicly humiliating the young bowler during an IPL 2025 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The incident occurred on the final delivery of the 17th over, during RCB’s chase of 228 in Lucknow. After being denied Jitesh Sharma’s wicket earlier in the over due to a backfoot no-ball, which was followed by a six off the free hit, Digvesh Rathi attempted a run-out at the non-striker’s end. Spotting Jitesh outside the crease, he halted his delivery stride and dislodged the bails. However, under section 38.3.1 of the IPL 2025 Playing Conditions, the third umpire ruled the attempt not out.
While Ashwin agreed with the third umpire’s decision, he was furious with what followed. Cameras showed Pant withdrawing the appeal—a move that didn’t change the outcome but was hailed by commentators as a “sportsmanship gesture.” Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, took issue with both Pant and the commentary team, accusing them of glorifying a moment that, in his view, publicly undermined Rathi.
“As an LSG owner, I’d want Jitesh Sharma’s wicket. If he’s out of the crease, he’s out. Technically, when Rathi landed his front foot, Jitesh was inside the crease—so the right call was made,” Ashwin explained. “But the real issue began after. The commentators praised Pant for withdrawing the appeal as if it was an extraordinary act. Grow out of this mindset.”
Ashwin’s remarks have sparked a broader conversation on the responsibilities of leadership, the media’s portrayal of sportsmanship, and the mental impact such incidents can have on young players.
‘Stop vilifying Digvesh Rathi’
Former India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, who once faced heavy criticism for a run-out incident involving Jos Buttler in IPL 2019, came out in strong defence of young Lucknow Super Giants bowler Digvesh Rathi after his failed attempt to run out RCB’s Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker’s end during an IPL 2025 match in Lucknow. Ashwin took aim at LSG skipper Rishabh Pant for publicly withdrawing the appeal and, in his view, humiliating Rathi in front of millions.
The incident unfolded on the last ball of the 17th over, with RCB needing 29 from 19 balls in a steep chase of 228. Digvesh Rathi had earlier been denied Jitesh’s wicket due to a backfoot no-ball, and after the batter hit a six off the free hit, the young bowler attempted a run-out at the non-striker’s end. Though Jitesh was outside his crease when Rathi broke the stumps, the third umpire, following IPL 2025 Playing Condition 38.3.1, ruled the batter not out.
Ashwin, speaking on his YouTube channel, said he agreed with the third umpire’s decision but was livid with what followed. Cameras caught Pant withdrawing the appeal, and commentators hailed it as a great act of sportsmanship. Ashwin disagreed strongly, stating: “Grow out of this. Pant is a fantastic cricketer and I’m a big fan. But think about Digvesh Rathi—he was made to feel small in front of crores of people. A captain’s job is to back his bowler, not humiliate him.”
Ashwin then shared a story from the following IPL season when he joined Delhi Capitals. Recalling a conversation with then-captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, Ashwin said:
“Before our first game, Iyer asked me, ‘We will not run anyone out at the non-striker’s end, will you agree?’ I said, ‘No.’ Then Ponting said, ‘We don’t want to do that and want you to follow it.’ I replied, ‘Okay. If that’s a team rule, I’ll follow it.’”
