The former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and his franchise Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), Dindigul Dragons were formally cleaned with the handling of the ball after the cricket Association Tamil Nadu (TNCA). The accusations presented by Panthers Siechem Madurai were considered “speculative” and lacked verifiable evidence.
Controversy arose after Panthers accused dragons of using towels “Treated with chemicals” to manipulate the ball during their match on June 14th on the Salem Cricket Foundation Foundation. The match, which saw that Dindigul had secured a convincing victory of nine goals, came under control after Panthers CEO Mahesh allegedly “obvious manipulation of the ball” and demanded investigations of sources and use of towels.
In an official statement, however, the CEO of TNPL Pránna Kannan confirmed that the internal overview did not find any unlawful conduct. “The towels concerned were issued TNCA and equally accessible to both teams,” Kannan said. “Playing the inspection team – including the arbitrators in the field and the referee – maintained full supervision of the ball during the match. No concerns were worried during the game and no verifiable evidence was given. Speculative and post -fakto in nature appear.”
According to TNCA, towels were issued to teams to dry the ball in the case of wet outfield conditions and be used under the supervision of the referee. A Committee for Assessment of the Charges was created, but in the absence of credible evidence – including video or photographic material – TNPL excluded further steps at this stage.
However, the management authority allowed the possibility of an independent question if Panthers could submit credible evidence by 15:00 June 17. Since the latest update, such a request has not been submitted.
Ashwin, which Captain Dragons and former India International, bowed four without a goal during the match, but significantly contributed with the bat and scored 49 out of 29 balls to help pursue Panthers in total 150 with ease. Dindigul has finished only 12.3 overs, Ashwin and Shivam Singh openers lead.
The champions are now standing with two wins in the 2025 season when trying to keep their title TNPL.
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
June 17, 2025
