Ravichandran Ashwin Penalized for Outburst During TNPL Match
Dindigul Dragons Face Defeat Against Tiruppur Tamizhians
In a recent TNPL 2025 match held at the SNR College Cricket Stadium in Coimbatore on June 8, Dindigul Dragons (DD) captain Ravichandran Ashwin faced disciplinary action following his heated exchange with an on-field female umpire regarding a contentious LBW decision. The Dragons suffered their first loss of the season, falling to Tiruppur Tamizhians by nine wickets.
Dindigul was bowled out for just 93 runs after starting strong at 61/3. Tiruppur Tamizhians successfully chased down the target of 94 runs in just 11.5 overs.
Ganeshan Periyaswamy was the sole wicket-taker for Dindigul, dismissing Amit Sathvik for 13 runs. Tushar Raheja led the chase for Tiruppur with an impressive unbeaten score of 65 off 39 balls, while S Radhakrishnan contributed with 14 runs off 21 balls.
Ashwin's Dispute with the Umpire
During the match, Ashwin's confrontation with the female umpire drew significant attention from fans, analysts, and social media users. The incident occurred in the fifth over when Ashwin attempted a paddle sweep, resulting in the ball striking the pads of Tiruppur's captain, Sai Kishore. The umpire took a moment before declaring Ashwin out.
Frustrated, Ashwin approached the umpire for clarification regarding his LBW dismissal, expressing his dissatisfaction with the call. The umpire, however, remained unresponsive, leading Ashwin to return to the dugout visibly upset. He was seen hitting his pads in disagreement and throwing his gloves towards the Dindigul dugout in frustration.
Controversy Surrounding the LBW Decision
The incident sparked discussions as many observers noted that the ball appeared to have pitched outside the stumps, which is a critical factor in LBW decisions. Despite Ashwin's attempts to communicate this to the umpire, she upheld her decision.
According to the rules, an LBW cannot be given if the ball is pitched outside the stumps, unless the batter plays a shot and the ball strikes the stumps between the wickets.
Consequences of Ashwin's Actions
As a result of his outburst and equipment misuse, Ashwin faced a financial penalty. The TNPL announced that he would be fined 30% of his match fee—10% for dissent towards the umpire and 20% for the misuse of equipment.
"Ashwin accepted the sanctions imposed on him," a TNPL official confirmed.
Following this match, the Dindigul Dragons currently sit in fifth place on the points table, having secured two points from one win and one loss. Their next match is scheduled against the Madurai Panthers at the Salem Cricket Foundation Stadium on June 14.