Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had a rare on-field meltdown after his debatable dismissal during a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match between Dindigul Dragons and IDream Tiruppur Tamizhians.

Ashwin, leading the Dragons, was adjudged leg-before off left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore in the fifth over after coming out to open the innings. He looked in ominous touch as he raced to 18 with a couple of boundaries and a six off the first 10 deliveries.

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However the 11th delivery that he faced, which was the fifth ball of the fifth over, Ashwin tried to play the paddle sweep but the delivery struck him on the pads.

No DRS appeal

Umpire Venkatesan Krithika raised his finger to an appeal from the bowler as Ashwin was scampering home for a quick single.

From the replays, it was clear that the ball pitched outside the leg stump. Ashwin couldn’t appeal for DRS as he and his opening partner Shivam Singh (30 off 27 balls) had exhausted their quota of referrals in the first over itself on leg-side wide deliveries (new rule introduced in TNPL).

Hence with no referrals left, Ashwin had no option but to head back to the dugout.

India’s second-highest wicket-taker was so infuriated that he was seen animatedly asking Krithika about the decision. Umpire Krithika initially looked through him as they crossed paths but later turned to justify her decision.

Ashwin was visibly annoyed and while leaving the ground made sure that everyone around knew how he felt.

No sanction yet

While returning, he first smashed his bat onto his leg guards to let some steam out and then as he reached near the boundary ropes, he opened his gloves and flung them in disgust.

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Worse, Ashwin’s team lost the match by a comprehensive nine-wicket margin.

While Ashwin’s anger stemmed from a poor on-field call, his behaviour was unbecoming of one of the greatest off-spinners of all time.

The TNPL hasn’t yet officially handed any sanctions and it would be interesting to see match referee Arjan Kripal Singh’s report.

(With agency inputs)