Former India cricketer R Ashwin has been approved for ball-lovers in the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL).Ashwin -led Dindigul Dragon was accused of tampering with the ball during the match against Sequel Madurai Panthers.The Madurai franchise alleged that Dindigul molested the ball using towels treated with chemicals during its game in Salem on 14 June. In that match, Salem played at the Cricket Foundation Ground, Dragon defeated the panthers by nine wickets.Batting first, Panthers posted 150 for 8 in 20 overs. Ashwin became a wicket -free but scored only 27 runs in his four overs.However, he made an impact with the bat, scoring 49 runs in 29 balls as a opener, helping Dragons chase the target in only 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 Dragon. Despite repeated warnings, the Dindigul team tampered with the ball, using the towel, using the towel, which was treated with the chemicals.”Madurai’s coach Shishit Chandran said: “The ball situation deteriorated rapidly during our innings, affecting the performance of our batsmen. You can hear the voice of our batsmen played after the powerplay – as if they were killing hard stone instead of a cricket ball.“We believe that the Dindigul Dragon team used foreign substances to change the position of the ball, which includes special towels with pre-Lagu roughing agents. It is unacceptable, against the spirit of sports, and the quantity of cheating.”However, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) said it found no evidence of ball tampering during the game.
TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan said in a statement, “TNCA-Zari was made in question and both were equally available for teams.”“Sports control team-including umpire and match referee-kept the entire surveillance in the entire match. No concern was raised while playing, and no verification has been provided.The towels were provided by the State Cricket Association to wipe the ball if it became wet. Drying was done in the presence of on-field umpires.Therefore, TNPL asked the panthers to present evidence as soon as possible to “certify” their allegations.
