Ravichandran Ashwin Defends Digvesh Rathi and Questions Rishabh Pant’s Reaction During Controversial Run-Out Attempt

The cricket world was once again buzzing with debate after a controversial moment during the IPL 2025 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants. The spotlight turned toward a heated situation involving RCB’s Jitesh Sharma and LSG spinner Digvesh Rathi. On the last ball of the 17th over, Rathi tried to run out Jitesh at the non-striker's end. Although it appeared dramatic on television, the TV umpire later ruled Jitesh out under Marylebone Cricket Club laws. Interestingly, what also appeared to grab the public's attention more was LSG captain Rishabh Pant deciding to intervene and reverse the appeal. This move was regarded by most as an act of good sportsmanship. Not everyone felt the same, however.

India cricketer and veteran player Ravichandran Ashwin thought about speaking on the issue and did not hold back. In a video on his YouTube channel, Ashwin laid out that while it seemed to be a move of fairness from Pant, there was more to consider. He stated that as a player who wishes to win games and cherishes each wicket, he should have thought that if the batter has gone out of the crease early, then it would be fair game for the dismissal. Ashwin further stated that if Jitesh had come out before Rathi completed his delivery stride, then he would be out according to the rulebook. But in this specific situation, the replay indicated that Jitesh was still inside the crease when Rathi placed his front foot. Therefore, according to cricket rules, the TV umpire got it right.

Ashwin had no issue with the umpire's decision but strongly believed that Pant's public withdrawal of the appeal was uncalled for and even damaging. He expressed that as a captain, one's responsibility is to assist the bowler and give them importance, rather than making them feel shamed. Ashwin pointed out that Pant's on-field gesture might have been elegant to watch on television but it inadvertently left the young bowler feeling small and embarrassed in front of millions of live viewers. This, according to Ashwin, is not what a team leader should do. He went on to say that if you were the father of that young bowler, sitting at home and seeing this moment happen on national television, you would think that your son was being criticised for doing nothing more than playing by the rules.

Ashwin went on to state that these are moments which get misunderstood. Though some say that running out a batter at the non-striker's end is being unsportsmanlike, it remains a lawful means of dismissal according to MCC laws. He remembered his own IPL 2019 experience, when he bowled out Jos Buttler in the same way. At that time, Ashwin was heavily criticized despite the dismissal being well within the game's laws. He indicated the double standards in judging bowlers, where they are most often harshly criticized for attempting to get a batter out legally.

He also cautioned that due to this sort of public rebuke by team captains and the crowd, young bowlers such as Rathi can lose confidence and might never try such dismissals in future, even when they are legitimate. That, Ashwin says, is a concern. It dissuades players from employing a very legitimate tactic and hurts their confidence. He clarified that such behavior by senior players or captains has a lasting impact on the development and attitude of future talent.

Ashwin's message was not to personally attack Pant. He mentioned that he is a huge fan of Pant and has a lot of respect for him. But simultaneously, he also felt compelled to voice the truth and criticize what he thinks was a bad leadership move. Ashwin called on fans and media to refrain from labeling such dismissals as controversial merely because they are rare. There are rules and if a batter goes out of the crease prematurely then the bowler has the right to try a dismissal at the non-striker's end. This is not something that should be looked down upon or seen as bad sportsmanship.

Rather than always defending the batter and labeling the bowler as aggressive or unsporting we should also defend bowlers when they operate within the laws. Ashwin reiterated that captains need to stand up for and defend their bowlers particularly when they are young and looking to leave a mark. Leadership is not only about grand calls but also about the small instances where a captain decides to build up an individual or leave them isolated.

The matter between Jitesh Sharma and Digvesh Rathi could have been settled on the field but the discussion about it is only just beginning. Ashwin's candid and outspoken opinions have brought a new turn to the discussion. Most fans would concur that it's time to cease viewing these incidents with prejudice and begin acknowledging the rules of the game for what they are. Ultimately cricket is a matter of fairness skill and respect for batters and bowlers. The game's spirit must not be interpreted as evading harsh rules but playing with openness and assurance within them.

This event yet again throws the spotlight on how crucial leadership and player backing is in high-stakes tournaments such as the IPL. Although Rishabh Pant might have done so with a positive intention Ashwin's message serves as a reminder that all decisions particularly by a captain can affect a young player's career and self-confidence.