Ravichandran Ashwin – Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has been fined 25 percent of his match fee for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct during the match against Chennai Super Kings on 12 April 2023.
Ashwin, who is playing for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021, was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the Code of Conduct, which relates to “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.” Well, Ashwin has also been fined for a similar offense before. Let’s take a closer look at the incident and its aftermath.
What happened?
During a match against the Delhi Capitals on April 12, 2023, Ravichandran Ashwin was caught on camera using foul language after an umpire’s decision went against his team. The incident occurred during the second innings when Delhi Capitals were chasing a target of 168 runs.
According to reports, Ashwin’s reaction was directed toward the umpire, who had given a not-out decision for a caught-behind appeal against Delhi Capitals’ opener. Ashwin was seen remonstrating with the umpire, and his language was deemed to be against the spirit of the game.
As a result, Ravichandran Ashwin was charged with a level 1 breach of the IPL code of conduct, which pertains to conduct that is against the spirit of the game.
The Reaction
The incident sparked a lot of controversies, with many fans and pundits criticizing Ashwin’s actions. Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra tweeted that “This isn’t the first time that Ravichandran Ashwin has run on a non-existent call. He does it too often for my liking. Can’t be making a habit of it.” Many other former cricketers and fans also voiced their opinions on the incident, with some calling for Ashwin to be punished.
The Verdict
The incident was referred to match referee Prakash Bhatt, who found Ashwin guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct. Bhatt stated that “Ashwin admitted to the Level 1 offense 2.5 of the IPL’s Code of Conduct and accepted the sanction.”
Ashwin was fined 25 percent of his match fee for the offense, and one demerit point was added to his record. This is Ravichandran Ashwin’s second offense of this nature in the current IPL season, having previously been fined for a slow over-rate.
Ashwin’s Response
Ashwin took to Twitter to express his disappointment with the verdict. He stated that “Dear all, let’s move on from this incident and keep the focus on the game.” He also posted a video on his YouTube channel explaining his side of the story.
In the video, Ravichandran Ashwin stated that he had not heard Dhoni calling for a run, and that he had completed the run only because he thought the ball had hit his bat.
The IPL Code of Conduct
The IPL code of conduct is a set of rules and regulations that govern player behavior during IPL matches. The code of conduct is designed to ensure that matches are played in a fair and sportsmanlike manner and that players conduct themselves in a manner befitting their status as role models for young fans.
The code of conduct covers a range of areas, including player behavior on the field, player behavior off the field, anti-corruption measures, and anti-doping measures. Breaching any of the provisions of the code of conduct can result in fines, suspensions, or other disciplinary action.
In Ashwin’s case, he was charged with a level 1 breach of the code of conduct, which carries a fine of Rs 1 lakh (approximately $1,400).
Conclusion
Ravichandran Ashwin’s actions during the match against Chennai Super Kings have once again brought the issue of the “spirit of the game” to the forefront. While some may argue that Ashwin’s actions were within the rules of the game, others feel that he breached the unwritten code of conduct that governs the game.
It remains to be seen whether Ravichandran Ashwin will change his approach to the game in the future, but for now, he will have to pay the price for his actions.
More About Ravichandran Ashwin
Ashwin’s international debut came in 2010 against Sri Lanka. He played his first Test match against the West Indies in 2011, where he showcased his potential as a spinner. He took nine wickets in the match, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings, and was declared the man of the match. His impressive performance earned him a place in the Indian cricket team in the long run.
Test Career
Ashwin has proved to be a valuable asset to the Indian cricket team in Test cricket. He is known for his accuracy, variation, and ability to get wickets on turning tracks. Ashwin has played 92 Test matches and taken 474 wickets at an average of 23.93. He is the fastest Indian bowler to reach 300 wickets in Test cricket and the second-fastest overall.
ODI and T20I Career
Ashwin has also played 111 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 50 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for India. He has taken 150 and 52 wickets respectively in these formats. Although his stats are not as impressive as in Test cricket, he has still managed to contribute to the Indian cricket team’s success in limited-overs cricket.
Ashwin made his IPL debut in 2009, playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). He played a crucial role in CSK’s victory in the 2010 and 2011 editions of the IPL. In the 2010 season, he took 13 wickets in 16 matches, with an economy rate of 6.10. In the 2011 season, he took 20 wickets in 16 matches, with an economy rate of 6.23. He was named the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 edition of the IPL.
After playing for CSK for eight seasons, Ashwin was bought by the Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) in 2016. He played for RPS for two seasons, taking 10 wickets in 14 matches in the 2016 season, and 8 wickets in 10 matches in the 2017 season. In the 2018 IPL auction, Ashwin was bought by the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) for INR 7.6 crores (approximately USD 1.1 million)
FAQs
Q: What is the IPL Code of Conduct?
A: The IPL Code of Conduct is a set of rules and regulations that govern the conduct of players, officials, and other stakeholders during IPL matches.
Q: How many demerit points has Ashwin accumulated so far?
A: Ashwin has accumulated one demerit point for the incident against CS.
