Courtesy: BCCI/IPL
In a shocking turn of events from the world of cricket, Ravichandran Ashwin, the former Indian cricketer, who currently plays for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been accused of ball-tampering during the ongoing 2025 edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). The captain of Dindigul Dragons got accused of ball-tampering by Madurai Panthers, who wrote to the TNPL organisers about it, following which they were asked to give evidence for the same.
The TNPL 2025 fixture wherein Ravichandran Ashwin was accused of ball-tampering happened in Salem wherein Madurai Panthers scored 150/8 batting first in their allotted 20 overs before the target was overhauled in just 12.3 overs with nine wickets in hand. After not taking any wickets with the ball, Ravichandran Ashwin scored 49 runs as an opening batter for the victorious Dindigul Dragons in the contest.
As per the report published in the Indian Express, Madurai Panthers went on to allege that Ravichandran Ashwin and Dindigul Dragons used towels to wipe the ball, but it was treated with chemicals. With that, the ball got heavier in play as the TNPL 2025 match progressed, while it also made a metallic sound whenever the bat made contact with it wherever a batter played a shot.
We will be forming an independent committee if we find there is any truth to their allegations: TNPL CEO
Pransanna Kannan, the CEO of TNPL, took stock of the official complaint made by Madurai Panthers before asking them to prove the wrongdoing from Ravichandran Ashwin and Dindigual Dragons. He was quoted as saying, “They have filed a complaint, which we have acknowledged. Though they have to lodge any complaints within 24 hours of the game, we have still accepted it and have asked them to furnish proof of their allegations.”
“We will be forming an independent committee if we find there is any truth to their allegations. Without sufficient evidence, it is wrong to put forth such allegations against a player and another franchise. If they don’t provide any evidence, then Madurai will face due sanctions,” he added.
Moreover, the TNPL CEO also spoke about the process with which the players can dry the ball in the league due to the advent of rain and dew at venues from time to time. He remarked, “They have to dry the ball only using the towels provided by TNPL. And every time the ball is hit for a six or immediately after a dismissal and over-break, umpires regularly check the ball and they didn’t find any issue with the ball during the said match.”
