Ashwin Caught in Controversy as Madurai Allege Ball-Tampering in TNPL Clash

Ravichandran Ashwin has found himself in the middle of a brewing controversy in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, with the Madurai Panthers accusing the veteran spinner and his team, the Dindigul Dragons, of ball-tampering.

The incident stems from Dindigul’s dominant nine-wicket win over Madurai in Salem on June 14. Following the match, the Panthers filed a written complaint with the TNPL, alleging that Ashwin’s team used towels treated with chemicals to alter the condition of the ball. Madurai’s head coach Shijit Chandran didn’t hold back in his claims. “The ball's condition deteriorated rapidly during our innings, affecting our batsmen's performance,” he said in the complaint, which was first addressed to franchise CEO Pooja Damodaran and then forwarded to the TNPL. “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.” 

He went further, alleging, “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.” 

However, TNPL officials have pushed back against the claims. CEO Prasanna Kannan stated that after thoroughly reviewing the matter, no evidence of tampering was found. “The towels in question were TNCA-issued and equally available to both teams,” Kannan said in an official response. “Should the franchise possess credible and verifiable evidence, they may submit a formal request for an Independent Commission of Enquiry by 3 PM on 17th June, along with supporting material (video, photographic, or testimonial).” 

Interestingly, Kannan also pointed out procedural lapses in Madurai’s complaint. According to him, the franchise didn’t file their complaint within the required 24-hour window and failed to send it to the TNCA honorary secretary, as mandated. “This makes the complaint inadmissible,” he said in an email seen by ESPNcricinfo. Still, in the interest of “transparency and fairness,” the TNPL forwarded it to the honorary secretary and the Dindigul franchise and carried out a review. 

The match in question saw Ashwin play a key role, bowling a tight spell of 4-0-27-0 before opening the innings with a quick 49 off 29 balls. He and Shivam Singh stitched together a commanding 124-run opening partnership, making light work of Madurai’s 151-run target. 

The timing of the incident adds another layer of complexity, with monsoon season causing damp outfields and players frequently using league-issued towels to dry the ball. That common practice may have contributed to the confusion, but without solid evidence, the allegations remain just that—for now. 

If Madurai fail to back their claims with proof, they could find themselves in hot water, facing potential sanctions under the TNCA’s code of conduct. For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Ashwin and Dindigul Dragons—but unless compelling evidence emerges, the TNPL looks set to move on from yet another stormy off-field distraction.