Why Shouldn't He Do It: Ashwin Supports Rathi But Slams Pant For Withdrawing Appeal

A controversy was created in the last league stage game of the 2025 season for the Indian Premier League (IPL) when Lucknow Super Giants leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi ran out Jitesh Sharma on the non-striker’s end in the 17th over of the chase.

However, after the on-field umpire confirmed the appeal from Rathi, the third umpire ruled it not out as the bowler had already completed his delivery stride before taking off the bails. But even before the decision could come, skipper Rishabh Pant could be seen hugging Jitesh on the field as he withdrew the appeal made by Rathi. 

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin felt that not only was Pant’s withdrawal of the appeal insulting to Rathi, but will scar the bowler for a long time and deter him from trying a run out at the non-striker’s end.

“Digvesh Rathi is not my relative. He is not my friend. I don't know who he is. But you will scar a bowler so much that it will really affect him," Ashwin said.  

“But because nobody really cares about a bowler, so in front of crores of people, should we withdraw his appeal and insult him?”

Ashwin, who has affected multiple run outs in this fashion, explained that while it was technically a not out, Pant should have backed his bowler rather than making him feel small for his actions. 

“Let me dive into the technicalities of this incident. Is Jitesh Sharma justified in being out if he stepped out of the crease before he (Rathi) got into the delivery stride? Yes, he is justified in being given out, and the bowler is also well-justified. 

“Digvesh Rathi landed at the front foot and Jitesh Sharma was inside the crease. So, in all technical possibilities, this is not out. And what happened? After hitting the stump, (umpire) Michael Gough asked Digvesh Rathi. He didn't ask him, 'are you sure?" He asked him whether he was appealing.

“He (Rathi) said, 'yes, I am appealing'. So, he (Gough) went to the third umpire and the third umpire took the right decision. He said, 'he has crossed his delivery stride, the batsman is inside the crease, I have a decision, not out'.

"Now, till now, everything is fine. Bowler has hit, appealed, not out. It's just another day in the office. But what happened? After this, during the match, (the) commentators said, 'Rishabh Pant has withdrawn the appeal. What an amazing act of sportsmanship!'

"Come on, yaar. Let's grow out of this. I am asking one question. Think about it, Digvesh Rathi is your son. Whoever is watching this video, he is your son, and Digvesh Rathi's captain has criticised his decision in front of crores of people. It's actually gone over the board because, look, a captain's job is actually to back a player. Alright? A captain's job is to not make a bowler feel small,” Ashwin added. 

Ashwin also mentioned that such acts from the captain of the side will further exacerbate the vilification of a character like Rathi, who has already come under the scanner for his aggressive notebook celebrations.

“We don't know if he [Pant] already spoke to them [LSG camp] or not. But let's stop this vilification of that youngster in front of crores and crores of people,” Ashwin said. 

“Do we do that to anybody else? Why does a bowler look small? It is actually a humiliation. What happens is [that] a bowler feels so small that he will never do it and people will say in the comment section that he should not do it. Why? Why shouldn't he do it?"

RCB eventually won the game and will be playing in the first Qualifier today, May 29, against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur.