A vocal supporter of running the batter out at non-striker’s end, veteran India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin was recently on the receiving end of a warning for backing up too far. The incident happened during a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match between his team, Dindigul Dragons, and Nellai Royal Kings. In the 15th over, left-arm spinner Mohan Prasath stopped midway through his run-up after noticing that Ashwin was out of his crease. The replays showed that while Ashwin was walking down the crease prematurely, his bat slid out of the popping crease when Prasath stopped mid-way into his run-up.

This incident sparked discussions on social media platforms. While some trolled Ashwin for being on the receiving end of his own medicine, others pointed out how the warning doesn’t apply to Ashwin as he was not taking any unfair advantage.

Ashwin also posted a screenshot of the law, suggesting that he would have been deemed not out even if the bowler had dislodged the bails.

As per law 38.3, “a non-striker is liable to be run out from the moment the ball comes into play until the bowler is expected to release the ball.”

Reacting to a posts that criticised the commentators for not pointing out that Ashwin would’ve been not out, the veteran all-rounder said: “Cos they don’t know the rule.”

Cos they don’t know the rulepic.twitter.com/r1B6Ndyyue

— Ashwin (@ashwinravi99) July 29, 2024

Meanwhile, Ashwin is currently not part of the team for the ongoing white-ball tour of Sri Lanka.

He is likely to return to the Test team for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh.

On Sunday, India beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in a rain-affected second T20I of the three-match series to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.

The third and final T20I will be played on Tuesday in Pallekele, ahead of a three-match ODI series.

Meanwhile, India captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Kuldeep Yadav, and Harshit Rana have reportedly reached Colombo for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka

Ravichandran Ashwin received a taste of his own medicine as spinner S Mohan Prasath warned him at the non-striker’s end during the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2024 match between Dindigul Dragons and Nellai Royal Kings on Sunday. The incident took place on the first over of the Dragons innings as Ashwin was on striker’s end and the bowler noticed that he was leaving the crease before the delivery was bowled. Prasath stopped midway into his action and warned Ashwin before taking his position back to resume his bowling. It was interesting as Ashwin had warned and even dismissed batters for leaving the crease on the non-striker’s end and the video of this incident has gone viral.

Ashbe like : School Headmaster

TNPL | Dindigul Dragons vs Nellai Royal Kings | Star Sports #TNPLOnStar #TNPL2024 #NammaOoruNammaGethu @TNPremierLeague pic.twitter.com/fI97alqNJl

– Star Sports Tamil (@StarSportsTamil) July 28, 2024

Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal and skipper Suryakumar Yadav displayed their wide array of strokes as India took an unassailable 2-0 lead, winning the rain-curtailed second T20I by seven wickets.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir and new captain Suryakumar couldn’t have asked for a better start to their new roles as the Indian team played like true T20 World Champions outplaying Sri Lanka in all departments.

Despite Shubman Gill‘s absence due to neck spasm and another failure in the format for the ever-hyped Sanju Samson (0), Jaiswal (30 off 15 balls) and Suryakumar (26 off 12 balls) didn’t even break a sweat in their short but tricky chase of 78 in 8 overs after another fine effort by bowlers had restricted Sri Lanka to 161 for 9.

Just when Maheesh Theekshana looked dangerous getting Samson with a carrom ball and squaring up Surya with a doosra, the Mumbai duo decided to bring the sweep shot — both conventional and reverse — out of the closet.

The strategy was to not allow Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga‘s deliveries to deviate off the surface and create confusion.

Instead, the India batters used their reach to good effect and smother the turn. They added 39 in 3.1 overs and by the time Surya and Jaiswal were dismissed, they had hit seven fours and three sixes between them.

It was left to Hardik Pandya (22 not out off 9 balls) and Rishabh Pant (2 not out) to complete the formalities in 6.3 overs and render the final match of the series on Tuesday inconsequential.

Earlier, Surya called right and his bowlers did a repeat act on successive days with the home team losing as many as seven wickets for 31 runs in their last 30 balls after being comfortably placed at 130 for 2 in 15 overs.

Despite scoring 80 in the first 10 overs and in a position to accelerate, Charith Asalanka‘s side lost its way, managing just 81 runs in the back-10 as Pandya’s (2/23 in 2 overs) change of pace and Ravi Bishnoi‘s (3/26 in 4 overs) fast googlies did the trick.

Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh also chipped in with two wickets each.

(With PTI inputs)

File photo of Rahul Dravid© AFP

R Ashwin is considered to be one of the best spinners in modern cricket but it was his batting prowess that recently made headlines during the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). During the encounter between Dindigul Dragons and Chepauk Super Gillies, Ashwin opened the batting for the Dragons and slammed an unbeaten 45 off just 20 deliveries. The explosive knock consisted of 3 fours and 4 sixes at a strike rate of 225. Although the Dindigul Dragons were eventually defeated in a rain-curtailed match, Ashwin’s knock left both fans and experts stunned with the video going viral on social media.

Earlier, in a chat on RevSportz, Ashwin made a candid admission, saying Dhoni probably didn’t even know who he was for the first year. But, it was under his leadership that Ashwin first started to flourish at CSK, as a powerplay bowler.

Captain. Opener. Top Scorer.

Ash Anna scored a thunderous 45* while the 7 other batters combined for just 21. MASS!#TNPLonFanCode @ashwinravi99 pic.twitter.com/RWac8GL60y

— FanCode (@FanCode) July 15, 2024

“I think Dhoni, for the first one year, did not know that I existed. I do not think he knew or maybe he knew and he did not really, that’s Dhoni. I have known him for almost 15-16-17 years from close quarters and with him, I find what he was in 2008-09 is exactly how he operates in 2024. That is fascinating for me and I remember that game in 2010 where he got hit by Shane Bond on his arm, I think at Eden Gardens.”

“I got a wicket. I got Bond out in that game but he got hit on his arm and he went out of the side. But I have begun the IPL reasonably well. This is supposedly going to be my first full year in the IPL, and he went out and Suresh Raina led the side. I think they have probably slightly different views in terms of how they handle people. I did not bowl inside the Powerplay. I bowled slightly later because Muttiah Muralitharan and I were playing in the same team and I ended up bowling at death in Bangalore. I have not had a good time. I had let the team down on three occasions. After that, Dhoni led. But as soon as he came back to captain the side, he picked up the puzzle,” he said.

“I think he said, ‘I want that guy back’. I came back and he again used me with the new ball because he used me inside the Powerplay against Adam Gilchrist and I got him out in Chennai. And he used me again in those same roles and continuously used me like that for several years to follow. He used me inside the batting Powerplay, even when I played for India. So, I think that is quite a fascinating sort of a belief that he had and he kept it very simple when he told me things,” he added.

A legend in the world of chess, Viswanathan Anand, welcomed India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to his sport in style as the cricketer became a co-owner of a chess franchise. Ashwin bought stakes of the American Gambits, a new team that will feature in the second edition of the Global Chess League, a joint venture between Tech Mahindra and the International Chess Federation. Ashwin, who is an icon in the sport of cricket, received a stylish welcome by Vishy Anand, who shared a glorious social media post as Ashwin entered the world of chess.

“Congratulations @ashwinravi99 on your exciting new venture into the world of chess! As someone who has bowled out the best in cricket, I’m sure you’ll bring the same competitive spirit to the Global Chess League with the American Gambits. May your rooks and bishops be as unstoppable as your off-spinners!

Best of Luck in London! @GCLlive

Vetri kodi kattu

Malaigalai muttumvarai muttu

Lathchiyam ettum varai ettu

Padaiyedu padaiyappa!,” Anand posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Congratulations @ashwinravi99 on your exciting new venture into the world of chess! As someone who has bowled out the best in cricket, I’m sure you’ll bring the same competitive spirit to the Global Chess League with the American Gambits. May your rooks and bishops be as…

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) July 8, 2024

The League on Monday unveiled the six franchises for the second edition to be played in London from October 3 to 12.

American Gambits, owned by prominent business leaders Prachura PP, Venkat K Narayana and Ashwin, will replace Chingari Gulf Titans.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the American Gambits to the chess world. With a blend of strategic brilliance and unwavering determination, our team aims to redefine the game. As co-owner, I’m excited to witness their journey and contribute to their success,” Ashwin was quoted as saying in a media release.

The five other franchise — Alpine SG Pipers, PBG Alaskan Knights, Ganges Grandmasters, defending champions Triveni Continental Kings and Mumba Masters will return for a second season.

Sameer Pathak, CEO, Global Chess League, said, “We are thrilled to welcome the teams for the second season of the Global Chess League. We have found the right partners to strengthen the league’s global reach and look forward to bringing an exciting season of chess to fans worldwide.

“The teams made season one a huge success and we believe that their impact and popularity will continue to expand in the world of chess.” The players will compete in a unique joint team format consisting of six players, including two top women chess players and a prodigy player per team.

Adding to the excitement and anticipation among fans, this innovative format will be aired on major OTT and broadcast platforms worldwide.

Global Chess League Format

In the tournament, each team will play a total of 10 matches in a double round-robin format, with the winner of each match being decided in a best-of-six board scoring system.

Each team will play 10 matches across black and white pieces. The sides will play five matches, with all six players in each team initially playing with the white or black pieces against their opponents, followed by a reverse round in which the entire team will play five matches with the reversed colour pieces against the same opponent.

The winning team for every match will be determined by the points aggregated from wins and draws across all six games played in the match. The top two sides will advance to the final round.

With PTI Inputs

In a moving tribute to the Indian team, former batter Robin Uthappa couldn’t control his emotions as he recalled the struggles and hardships of the players after the T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. India ended a 13-year wait for an ICC title on Saturday, beating South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup in Barbados. The past 12 months or so have been hard for each and every player, with India losting back-to-back finals (World Test Championship and ODI World Cup).

While recalling the struggles of the players, Uthappa started crying during a discussion with veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.

Uthappa, who was part of India’s maiden T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2007, suggested that the constant trolling each player had to face, including Ashwin, wasn’t easy.

“I was so full of emotions, you would’ve found me in tears. I went through each player individually, and what they have been through. I apologise in advance if i get emotional on this show, but when you go through each player individually, and what they’ve been through over he past 4-5 years — trolling, criticism — and you’ve been part of it as well, so you know what it feels like. To go through the struggle, to go through the hardships, to take the trolling and the hate is not easy,” Uthappa said Ashwin during a discussion on his YouTube channel.

This will bring tears to your eyes. Watch pic.twitter.com/mSuHEVtbcu

— Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) June 30, 2024

Uthappa went on to continue by saying that as cricketers, every player in India has to go through harsh trolling and criticism at some point of time in their careers. Even Ashwin had teary eyes while Uthappa was narrating the same.

“I could feel the emotions of each player individually. I cried for the first 20 minutes after the victory. I went and bowed before god, saying thank you. As a cricketer who has represented India, thank you. This victory was so special special cause it was long incoming. Anyone who has played for India and represented the country knows the kind of crap we are put through. If i look at Rahul Dravid‘s journey as a coach, what an absolute mentor he has been. We say a 50-year-old man celebrate like a kid when the World Cup trophy was given to him. This is the beauty of the sport. I am so grateful to god for everyone. All of the players deserve to win the World Cup,” he added.

India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has thrown his weight behind Afghanistan star Gulbadin Naib amid criticism over his antics in the T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Bangladesh. Afghanistan wrote a new chapter in its cricketing history, qualifying for the T20 World Cup semi-finalists for the first time ever. During the dying embers of the match, Naib allegedly feigned injury after coach Jonathan Trott apparently sent signals slow down. Afghanistan were ahead of DLS with rain interrupting the match at that time. Naib immediately fell down on the ground. While his antics had sparked a laughing riot initially, fans and experts later criticised Naib for faking an injury, and accused the player of ‘cheating’.

However, Ashwin, who had jokingly said that Naib should be given a red card, has now defended the player, saying that he is playing for the whole of Afghanistan.

“Gulbadin Naib fell that way. Everyone said that is a penalizable offense. But what the hell, man? The guy is playing for his country, trying to win a World Cup, qualify,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Further sharing his views on the ‘cheating’ allegations, Ashwin suggested that not just Naib, all the players in the Afghanistan team are playing for one another, and the people back home. Ashwin added that he has never seen a team playing with such unity. 

“In Afghanistan, it is not just momentum. It is a country with so much hope. They are playing for one another. This playing for one another, we can say a thousand things about it. We can say it to so many people. Doesn’t Indiaplay for one another? For the badge? Of course. But Afghanistan, at this stage of their cricketing journey, are playing for one another like I have never seen anything like this,” he added. 

Ahead of Afghanistan’s maiden T20 World Cup semi-final appearance, head coach Jonathan Trott affirmed his side was not perturbed by the big occasion.

“We go into the semifinal with no scarring or no history. This is uncharted territory for us. But, by no means, do we feel like we’re going into the semifinal just to compete.

“We’re there to win the semifinal. We’ve beaten some major teams,” Trott said after the win over Bangladesh.

India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has revealed that his goal as a young cricketer was to gain the approval of MS Dhoni. Although one of the finest bowlers of his generation now with over 516 Test wickets, at one stage, Ashwin was a young player in the Chennai Super Kings squad who was yet to get a chance. In a launch event of his new book ‘I Have the Streets – A Kutti Cricket Story’, Ashwin said that it had taken him till 2009 to gain Dhoni’s attention.

Despite being picked by Chennai Super Kings in 2008, Ashwin said that Dhoni did not know of his existence in the inaugural IPL season.

“MS Dhoni didn’t even know someone like me existed in 2008. So, I made it my life goal, from 2009, to get the wicket of MS Dhoni,” Ashwin said.

“I bowled an unbelievable spell in the Challenger Trophy in Nagpur. MS struggled throughout the spell. Once, when he tried to play, the ball went through the gates. I got him out in the final,” Ashwin reminisced.

“From then on, MS Dhoni saw me as someone with skill, and the relationship matured,” he said.

While playing just two games in IPL 2009, Ashwin would turn into a key cog in CSK’s lineup from 2010, helping the franchise to their first IPL title.

“If MS decides a horse is not ready to race, he won’t use you. He needs to know you’re a horse. But once he knows you’re a horse, he will look past you only when you feel like giving up,” said Ashwin.

“That is MS Dhoni. He believes in you,” he said.

Ashwin joined India Cements in early June, and is reportedly set to take charge of the Chennai Super Kings High Performance Centre. This move also leaves the door open for Ashwin’s return to CSK next season, with the mega auction coming up before IPL 2025.

Ravichandran Ashwin posted a cheeky comment on the Gulbadin Naib incident.© Twitter

Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin interview: On his book, an ode to Chennai gully cricket, and why 3 Idiots was a turning point

Ravichandran Ashwin has just hit a pull shot and the ball has landed in a temple next door. On the streets of Ramakrishnapuram in Chennai’s West Mambalam, street cricket came alive between four and six every evening. In the Nineties and early-2000s a young Ashwin would be at the centre of all the sporting action.

After a hectic day at school, it was the sight of a bat and ball and his ‘area’ friends that would bring Ashwin utmost joy. Some days, he would be a hero, scoring lots of runs. On others, he would have to beg for gaaji, a word popular in Tamil Nadu to describe ‘batting’. And on still other days, he would have to face the stern uncle next door, chiding him for breaking the window glass with a monstrous six.

But every day, Ashwin would go to bed dreaming of the events that unfolded in the evening and look forward to more drama and action the next day.

Today, he is considered India’s top off-spinner, has a whopping 500 Test wickets to his name and a proven track record in all formats; yet, the allure of the West Mambalam streets still holds sway. “I would trade anything to go back. The joys of being on those lanes, fighting for those 2-3 runs and the ball going into the well… all these are great stories,” he says, at Taj Coromandel, on the sidelines of his recent book launch.

Ashwin has several such stories to share in the book, I Have the Streets: A Kutty Cricket Story (published by Penguin Random House India), in which he, along with cricket writer Siddharth Monga, paints a candid picture of his days before professional cricket and the little joys in the cricket-mad streets of Chennai. “Writing this gave me several goosebump moments. Today, people don’t play cricket on the streets as much as before. I just feel that after reading this, if someone wishes to be out there in the evenings playing cricket, I would have achieved what I set out to.”

Ravichandran .Ashwin with wife Prithi at the launch of his book
| Photo Credit:
VEDHAN M

Write approach

The seed of I Have the Streets was planted in Ashwin’s head as he sifted through many novels – he is a fan of Clive Cussler, Chetan Bhagat and has read all the Ponniyin Selvan books – and also binged on the autobiographies of Australian cricketers Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting. “Reading Ponting’s book, it took me to his household in Launceston, Tasmania. When I read it, I was like, ‘Hey, this is what my life looked like.’ With my book, I wanted to be very organic and real.”

And so, I Have the Streets, apart from being an ode to the Madras of yore,also gives a peek into Ashwin’s middle-class Tamil household. His parents and grandfather, all instrumental in him taking to the game, form pivotal characters, as do his friends. It also takes us into his days at Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan school, where he met his wife Prithi for the first time. “The book also shows me having self-doubts and being vulnerable, but that’s what makes it real. A lot of people want to paint themselves perfectly, and I’m not perfect.”

A ticket to happiness

Ashwin is a huge fan of films and makes references to cinema in all his content, be it on YouTube or his book. “I’ve learnt a lot of life through movies. If I watch Ghilli, I would like to understand the friendship surrounding actor Vijay and his household rather than me going to Madurai and doing those fights. I resonate with that.”

He describes watching Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots as a turning point in his career. “I saw that movie at the right stage of my life, and it gave me the stamp to say that I am probably on the right path. I was so excited when it was remade in Tamil with Vijay, because I’m a huge of the actor as he has multiple abilities of dancing, action and a comic touch.”

Spirit of the game

Ashwin is widely considered a ‘thinking, competitive cricketer’ in the international sporting community now, but he stresses that it has always been that way.

Ravichandran Ashwin at his book launch
| Photo Credit:
VEDHAN M

“The game was an avenue for me to compete. Even now, I’m every bit the same gully cricketer who played on the streets of Ramakrishnapuram. It’s the same fight I have in me.” Ashwin even brings a reference to ‘Mankading’, a style of dismissal that involves the non-striking batter backing up. “In the book, I recall running out my friend, Bhuvanesh at the non-striker’s end, in street cricket. Many years later, I ran out Jos Butler in an IPL game. It really doesn’t matter to me, because for me, Bhuvanesh is more precious to me than Butler will ever be. The fact that we could go hang out at a soup shop that very evening and have a great time is what makes gully cricket special.”

Ashwin is looking to be actively engaged with the game in the future too. Next month, he will play for the Dindigul Dragons in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). He is also busy shooting content for his popular YouTube channel, which is a delight for anyone interested in Chennai’s two primary loves, cricket and cinema. He will also soon come out with a part two of I Have The Streets as well, and also plans to host a cricket quiz sometime soon.

And, when time permits, Ashwin hopes to hit the streets of West Mambalam and Somasundaram Ground in T Nagar yet again, to play street cricket. “I want to do something called the ‘motta maadi cricket’ (terrace cricket), just like ‘motta maadi music’, a popular music concept. I want to bring back the joys of playing cricket in the terraces.” Chennai, are you ready?