Ravi Ashwin at centre of 'cheating' storm in T20 World Cup victory

Ravi Ashwin is no stranger to controversy in the cricket world, and the India star was once again at the centre of it at the T20 World Cup on Sunday night.

Ashwin hit the winning runs against Pakistan after Virat Kohli played a masterful knock to guide India home from the brink of defeat.

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However Ashwin was at the centre of controversy earlier in the match when he claimed a low catch from a ball that had cleary bounced.

Aswhin dived forward for the catch after Shan Masood top-edged a ball from Mohammed Shami down to fine leg.

The India fielder got up and claimed the catch, running in to celebrate with his teammates, prompting on-field official Marais Erasmus to refer the decision to the third umpire.

Erasmus gave a 'soft signal' of out, but replays showed the ball had clearly hit the grass before bouncing into Ashwin's hands.

The third umpire didn't take long to return a decision of 'not out', with fans quick to condemn Ashwin for claiming the catch.

The India star may not have realised the ball bounced because he was diving and would have lost sight of it, but many were quick to accuse him of 'cheating' and trying to pull the wool over the umpires' eyes.

"Ravichandran Ashwin claiming a catch which he knew he hadn't taken is a serious offence in cricket," tweeted Daniel Alexander.

"Many non-Indian cricketers were banned by ICC for claiming a bump ball under 'conduct contrary to the spirit of the game'. Will ICC ban Ashwin for cheating?"

Virat Kohli stars as India beat Pakistan in thriller

In another epic chapter in one of world sport's biggest rivalries, Kohli's remarkable unbeaten 82 helped India from 4-31 to pass Pakistan's 8-159 and secure an unforgettable four-wicket win.

Needing 16 runs off the final over, Ashwin hit the final ball over cover with the scores tied to secure the winning run and send the majority of the 90,293 fans into pandemonium.

The final six balls of the match from Pakistan spinner Mohammad Nawaz produced an extraordinary array of twists and turns, including no-balls, byes, wides and a stumping.

Nawaz was controversially called for a no-ball off the fourth delivery of the over from a full toss, which Kohli smashed for six, leaving Pakistan captain Babar Azam pleading his case to the umpires.

Kohli and Hardik Pandya put on a 113-run partnership before the latter was dismissed on the first ball of the last over.

Wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik made just one before he was out off the second last ball, bringing Ashwin to the crease.

Kohli and Pandya came to the rescue after India collapsed early in their chase, with fiery Pakistani quick Haris Rauf ripping through the top-order.

One of the finest batters of his generation, the 33-year-old started his innings slowly, but exploded after the 10th over when India were 4-45.

"I have no idea how that happened," Kohli said.

"Hardik kept telling me just believe, believe you can do it and stay until the end.

"I was kind of pumping myself up to hit two sixes when we needed 28 off eight (balls), and that became 16 off six.

"I think I will count this one higher (than any other T20 innings) because of the magnitude of the game and what the situation was - it seemed impossible."

with AAP

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