Delhi Capitals' (DC) star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has responded to the extra run controversy and the backlash he received after his spat with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Eoin Morgan and Kiwi bowler Tim Southee during the match between two teams on September 28 in Sharjah.
Both Morgan and Southee had a heated argument with Ashwin after the dismissal of the latter. Ashwin’s Tamil Nadu team mate Dinesh Karthik had to intervene and prevent the situation from accelerating any further.
The whole on-the-pitch drama between Ashwin and Morgan has reignited the debate about the ‘spirit of the game’ and questioned the off-spinner's decision to take the run after the ball ricocheted off captain Rishabh Pant’s body following Rahul Tripathi's throw.
Ashwin on Thursday took to Twitter and lambasted his critics and Morgan through a series of Tweets, explaining his decision to take the run.
Justifying his decision to take the run, Ashwin wrote, “I tried to run the moment I saw the fielder throw and didn’t know the ball had hit Rishabh. Will I run If I see it? Of course I will and I am allowed to. Am I a disgrace like Morgan said I was? Of course NOT.”
The spin king said he stood for himself because that is what he was taught to do. He went on to slam the KKR skipper and Southee.
“In Morgan or Southee's world of cricket they can choose and stick to what they believe is right or wrong but do not have the right to take a moral high ground and use words that are derogatory. What's even more surprising is the fact that people are discussing this and also trying to talk about who is the good and bad person here!”
He further added, “There are millions of cricketers with several thought processes that play this great game to make it their careers. Teach them that an extra run taken due to a poor throw aimed to get you out can make your career and an extra yard stolen by the non-striker can break your career. Do not confuse them by telling them that you will be termed a good person if you refuse the run or warn the non-striker, because all these people who are terming you good or bad have already made a living or they are doing what it takes to be successful elsewhere. Give your heart and soul on the field and play within the rules of the game and shake your hands once the game is over. The above is the only ‘spirit of the game’ I understand.”
