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'Should never happen': Shane Warne's fury over 'disgraceful' act

Shane Warne, pictured here in commentary for Sky Sports.
Shane Warne has taken a swipe at Ravi Ashwin for his actions in the IPL. Image: Getty

Shane Warne has taken a furious swipe at Ravi Ashwin after the Indian star was at the centre of fresh controversy in the IPL.

Two years after his Mankad controversy in the 2019 edition of the IPL, Ashwin was back in the spotlight on Wednesday for his actions in the Delhi Capitals' clash with Kolkata Knightriders.

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Batting for Delhi, Ashwin sparked anger from Kolkata players when he stole a second run after the ball had ricocheted off batting partner Rishabh Pant.

Pant was running through for a quick single when a throw from the fielder rebounded off his arm and away from a back-up fielder.

Ashwin then spotted his chance and called Pant back for a second run, much to the displeasure of Kolkata players and commentators.

One of the unwritten rules in cricket says you shouldn't run if a throw from a fielder hits the batsman and ricochets away.

"He really shouldn’t have run for that," Kiwi commentator Simon Doull said.

Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar agreed, saying: “Generally batsmen don’t run if the ball hits them.”

The ball, pictured here ricocheting off Rishabh Pant as he was attempting a quick single.
The ball ricocheted off Rishabh Pant as he was attempting a quick single. Image: IPL

The controversial incident divided fans on social media, but Aussie spin king Warne was firm in his belief that Ashwin was in the wrong.

“The world shouldn’t be divided on this topic and Ashwin,” he tweeted.

“It’s pretty simple - it’s disgraceful and should never happen.

“Why does Ashwin have to be that guy again? I think Eoin Morgan had every right to nail him!”

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Morgan and Ashwin had engaged in a fiery war of words after the incident, while Ashwin gave Morgan a spray after dismissing him later in the match.

“I do not think Morgan appreciates that he is someone when the ball hits the batter, he expects them not to run because of the spirit of cricket," Knightriders wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik said after the game.

“It is a very grey area, a very interesting topic.

“I have my own opinion on it, but I can just say I am happy to play peacemaker.”

Karthik was forced to step in when things between Ashwin and Morgan threatened to boil over.

Delhi were delayed from claiming a playoff berth after suffering a three-wicket loss.

Morgan read the slow pitch well after winning the toss and Delhi were restricted to 9-127.

Spinners Sunil Narine (2-18) and Venkatesh Iyer (2-29) led the attack as Kolkata won by reaching 7-130 in 18.2 overs.

Nitish Rana made an unbeaten 37 off 27 balls, but it was the lower order which starred, with Narine taking 21 runs from one Kagiso Rabada over.

“Winning the toss and fielding is not an easy thing to do, (but) the guys were more calculated today and it came off,” Morgan said.

“Full credit has to go to our coach Brendon McCullum. It’s his ethos, his mindset, and the boys have bought into that.”

with Associated Press

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