New Delhi: Former India spinner R Ashwin and his team, Dindigul Dragons, have been cleared by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) of ball-tampering charges in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). Defending champions Dragons were accused of tampering with the ball using ‘chemically-treated’ towels during their match against Seicham Madurai Panthers in Salem on June 14.
Seicham Madurai Panthers had levelled the allegations of ball tampering against Ashwin and his team after their 9-wicket defeat against the defending champions on Saturday. However, TNCA has cleared the Dragons of any wrongdoing during the game and stated that they didn’t find any evidence of ball-tampering during the match.
In a statement, TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan clarified that the towels in question were made available by the organisers and were available to be used by both teams. He also said that no such concerns were raised by the Madurai Panthers team during the game, making the claims ‘speculative and post-facto’ in nature.
“The towels in question were TNCA-issued and equally available to both teams,” TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan said in a statement.
“The Playing Control Team-including umpires and the match referee-maintained full oversight of the ball throughout the match. No concerns were raised during play, and no verifiable evidence has been provided. The claims appear speculative and post-facto in nature,” he added.
Earlier, Madurai Panthers CEO Mahesh S wrote to the TNPL, accusing the Dragons of ‘blatant’ tampering, while urging the organisers to probe the source of the towels used by Ashwin’s team during the match. However, TNCA CEO Kannan clarified that the towels were used by the team to dry the ball due to a wet outfield.
He also mentioned that the towels were used under the supervision of the umpires, ruling out any wrongdoing. Nonetheless, the TNCA has formed a committee to assess the allegations and has urged the Madurai Panthers to submit credible proof, including video or photographs, to allow an independent inquiry into the matter.
The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has cleared veteran spinner R Ashwin and his team Dindigul Dragons of ball-tampering allegations in the Tamil Nadu Premier League. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
