Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has sparked fresh debate by criticising Rishabh Pant for withdrawing Digvesh Rathi’s Mankad appeal during the final league match of IPL 2025 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on May 27. The incident occurred in the 17th over of RCB’s chase, when Rathi attempted to run out Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker’s end. But just moments later, LSG skipper Pant called off the appeal, sparking a divided reaction.
While many hailed Pant’s decision as a “great act of sportsmanship,” including commentators and a large section of fans on social media, Ashwin took a firm opposing stance. According to the former India spinner, Pant’s gesture may have looked graceful on the surface, but it sent a demoralising message to the young bowler.
“It’s the captain’s responsibility to back his bowler, not to make him feel small,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. “If they didn’t intend to go ahead with the appeal, that discussion should’ve happened before. By publicly withdrawing it, you’re shaking the bowler’s confidence.”
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Ashwin, who famously ran out Jos Buttler at the non-striker’s end in 2019 while playing for Punjab Kings, referenced his time at Delhi Capitals in 2020 when head coach Ricky Ponting made it clear that such dismissals wouldn’t be pursued. However, in this case, Ashwin pointed out the lack of clarity or pre-match discussion between Pant and Rathi, which made the act feel like a public reprimand.
Rishabh pant : I will take back the appeal 🔥🔥
Such A great gesture by Rishabh pant 💥🙌🔥#RCBvsLSG #RishabhPant #Jiteshsharma #ViratKohli #digveshrathi pic.twitter.com/L82wbqtJ0A— UPSC (@upsc_India_) May 27, 2025
https://t.co/CuYS1UoI6V pic.twitter.com/bva236QnD6
— Jaanvi🏏 (@that_shutterbug) May 28, 2025
“Let’s stop humiliating young bowlers in front of crores of viewers. Why is it okay to make the bowler look like a villain for simply following the laws of the game?” he questioned.
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Ashwin passionately defended Rathi, whom he admitted he doesn’t personally know. “But that’s not the point,” he added. “The issue is that by withdrawing the appeal, Pant may have scarred a young bowler’s instinct forever. This isn’t about spirit; it’s about fairness. Why should the batter be allowed to gain an unfair advantage, and why should the bowler be shamed for enforcing the rules?”
In Ashwin’s eyes, the message was loud and clear: respect the bowler’s intent just as much as you praise the batter’s skill.
