Australian legend Shane Warne made his displeasure with Ravichandran Ashwin known on Twitter after a controversial incident that took place in yesterday’s IPL encounter.
The match between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders saw DC’s Ashwin involved in a heated war of words first with KKR bowler Tim Southee, and then with the KKR captain Eoin Morgan, after having been dismissed by the New Zealand pacer. KKR’s wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik ran in and tried to calm down the tensions.
Later when KKR were batting, Ashwin was animated after getting Eoin Morgan for duck. KKR would eventually win the game by three wickets.
The incident which led to these tensions took place during the last ball of the 19th over of the DC innings. Ashwin and Rishabh Pant ran two, after a throw was deflected when it hit Pant’s body.
Now Warne has reacted to the controversy. Responding to a Fox Cricket tweet, which read, “World divided as Ashwin breaks ‘spirit of cricket’ again in feisty IPL match”, the leg-spinner said that the world shouldn’t be divided on this topic.
“The world shouldn’t be divided on this topic and Ashwin. It’s pretty simple – it’s disgraceful & should never happen.” his tweet read
He continued with approval of Eoin Morgan playing the headmaster in this matter, “Why does Ashwin have to be that guy again ? I think @Eoin16 had every right to nail him !!!!”
The world shouldn’t be divided on this topic and Ashwin. It’s pretty simple – it’s disgraceful & should never happen. Why does Ashwin have to be that guy again ? I think @Eoin16 had every right to nail him !!!! https://t.co/C2g5wYjeT6
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) September 29, 2021
Warne referring to Ashwin as being “that guy again” is perhaps a reference to R Ashwin being involved in the “mankad” controversy in IPL 2019.
Back then, Warne had tweeted in response to Harsha Bhogle, “Harsha you are missing the point completely & I’m disappointed in you as you always push (for) the spirit of the game – now you condone this behaviour? Ashwin’s actions were simply disgraceful, and I hope the BCCI doesn’t condone this sort of behaviour in the #IPL! #spiritofthegame”
Harsha you are missing the point completely & I’m disappointed in you as you always push the spirit of the game – now you condone this behaviour ? Ashwin’s actions were simply disgraceful, and I hope the BCCI doesn’t condone this sort of behaviour in the #IPL ! #spiritofthegame https://t.co/BsIKDBN51X
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 25, 2019
With respect to this particular incident, Twitter was flooded with varying opinions. Some backed Ashwin, while some preferred to look at the lighter side of the event.
Enough Said! That's it, that's the caption! #Ashwin #KKRvDC pic.twitter.com/PLGXvo3Xpo
— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) September 29, 2021
IPL is watched diligently by young people in their formative age. Aggressiveness is all good, but it would be nice to see senior players show some grace in the spirit of the game. Yesterday for a while #KKRvDC looked more like BiggBoss than cricket.#ashwin #morgan #southee #DK pic.twitter.com/HJCUV9WR8z
— Kasturi (@KasthuriShankar) September 29, 2021
Former India batter Virender Sehwag took a dig at Dinesh Karthik’s comment on the incident.
On July 14th , 2019 when it ricocheted of Ben Stokes bat in the final over, Mr Morgan sat on a Dharna outside Lord’s and refused to hold the World cup trophy and New Zealand won. Haina ? Bade aaye, ‘doesn’t appreciate’ waale 😂 pic.twitter.com/bTZuzfIY4S
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 29, 2021