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Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) CEO Prasanna Kannan has cleared former Indian spin-bowling all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin-led Dindigul Dragons of ball-tampering charges in the clash against Siechem Madurai Panthers.
"The towels in question were TNCA-issued and equally available to both teams. 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," TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan said in a statement.
However, the Madurai-based franchise can further escalate the matter if they want to. They need to put in a formal request for an independent enquiry by 3 PM (15:00 IST) on June 17. They need to submit any verifiable evidence to support their allegations.
Earlier, in the letter written by CEO of the Madurai franchise, D Pooja to TNPL authorities, they claimed that Dindigul Dragons used a chemical treatement on the ball.
“The ball produced a metallic sound when it came into contact with the bat,” the letter read.
What Madurai coach said about alleged ball-tampering
Madurai coach Shijit Chandran claimed that the ball's condition deteriorated which led to them posting 150/8 on the board.
"The ball's condition deteriorated rapidly during our innings, affecting our batsmen's performance," Chandran said in the complaint sent to Pooja which was then sent to TNPL CEO.
"You can hear the sound of every shot our batters played after the powerplay, which were as if they were hitting hard stone instead of a cricket ball.
"We are of the view that the Dindigul Dragons team used foreign substances to alter the ball's condition, including using special towels with pre-applied roughening agent, which is unacceptable and against the spirit of the game, and amounts to cheating."
Big win for Ashwin's Dragons
Ashwin's Dindigul Dragons chased down the target of 151 in just 12.3 overs. Ashwin scored 49 runs from 29 balls whereas Shivam Singh hit six sixes and eight fours in his unbeaten 41-ball 86.
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