Controversy avoided! R Ashwin, team cleared of ball-tampering allegations in TNPL

Former India cricketer R Ashwin has been cleared of ball-tampering allegations in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).Ashwin-led Dindigul Dragons had been accused of tampering with the ball during their match against Siechem Madurai Panthers.The Madurai franchise alleged that Dindigul tampered with the ball by using towels treated with chemicals during their game in Salem on June 14. In that match, played at the Salem Cricket Foundation Ground, the Dragons defeated the Panthers by nine wickets.

Batting first, the Panthers posted 150 for 8 in 20 overs. Ashwin went wicketless but conceded only 27 runs in his four overs.However, he made an impact with the bat, scoring 49 off 29 balls as an opener, helping the Dragons chase down the target in just 12.3 overs.In a letter to TNPL, Madurai franchise COO S Mahesh wrote: “A serious case of ball tampering occurred during our recent match against Dindigul Dragons. Despite repeated warnings, the Dindigul team blatantly tampered with the ball, using towels that appeared to have been treated with chemicals.”

Madurai coach Shijit Chandran added: “The ball's condition deteriorated rapidly during our innings, affecting our batsmen's performance.

You could hear the sound of every shot our batters played after the powerplay — as if they were hitting hard stone instead of a cricket ball."We believe the Dindigul Dragons team used foreign substances to alter the ball's condition, including special towels with pre-applied roughening agents. This is unacceptable, against the spirit of the game, and amounts to cheating.”However, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) said it found no evidence of ball tampering during the game.

“The towels in question were TNCA-issued and equally available to both teams,” TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan said in a statement.“The Playing Control Team — including umpires and the match referee — maintained full oversight of the ball throughout the match. No concerns were raised during play, and no verifiable evidence has been provided. The claims appear speculative and post-facto in nature.”The towels were provided by the state cricket association to wipe the ball if it got wet. The drying was done in the presence of the on-field umpires.Therefore, the TNPL asked the Panthers to submit proof at the earliest to “substantiate” their allegations.