Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed dissatisfaction with Rishabh Pant’s choice to retract Digvesh Rathi’s appeal for running out Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker’s end. This incident took place during the Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) final league match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The situation unfolded when Rathi noticed Jitesh outside the crease and removed the bails in the 17th over of RCB’s chase. While replays showed the batter was outside his crease, the TV umpire ruled Rathi had completed his delivery stride before the attempted run-out. Pant subsequently withdrew the appeal, and Jitesh shared an embrace with him, with RCB eventually winning by six wickets.
Ashwin, known for supporting run-outs at the non-striker’s end, believes Pant should have supported Rathi. “Digvesh Rathi is not my relative, nor a friend. I don’t know him, but I’m saying…You will scar a bowler so much that it will really affect him,” Ashwin remarked on his YouTube channel. “In front of millions, should we withdraw his appeal and insult him?”
Detailing the situation, Ashwin explained, “If Jitesh stepped out before Rathi completed his delivery stride, he’s justified in being given out. Digvesh Rathi landed at the front foot and Jitesh Sharma was inside the crease. So, technically, this is not out.” He added how the third umpire made the correct call, “not out,” but voiced concern over commentators praising Pant’s sportsmanship.
Ashwin challenged the notion, suggesting viewers consider Rathi as their own child. “It’s actually gone over the board because, look, a captain’s job is actually to back a player. A captain’s job is to not make a bowler feel small.”
He expressed concern for Rathi’s future batting decisions, fearing this incident might deter him from attempting similar run-outs. “But let’s stop this vilification of that youngster in front of millions. Do we do that to anybody else? Why does a bowler look small? It is actually a humiliation,” Ashwin asserted.
With Rathi’s reputation inadvertently caught in the crossfire, Ashwin urged for a reevaluation of how such incidents are handled, fostering a supportive environment for bowlers.
