The Indian Premier League’s final league match saw Royal Challengers Bangalore edge out Lucknow Super Giants. But a moment in the 17th over has sparked controversy. Dushmantha Chameera was on strike, while Jitesh Sharma stood at the non-striker’s end.
As bowler Dushmantha was about to deliver, he ran out Jitesh Sharma for backing up too far.
The umpire signaled a dead ball, and Lucknow captain Rishabh Pant withdrew the appeal.
Ravichandran Ashwin weighed in, saying “Maybe this is the last match for the bowler because if you scare a bowler this much, how will they play?” Ashwin questioned Pant’s decision, suggesting it undermines the bowler’s confidence.
Ashwin shared a personal anecdote, recalling when he was involved in a similar situation with Jos Buttler. The next season, he joined Delhi, where coach Ricky Ponting told him the team wouldn’t run out non-strikers, and everyone followed suit.
In the Lucknow match, Dushmantha was bowling the 17th over, with Mayank Agarwal on strike and Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker’s end. As Dushmantha delivered, he noticed Jitesh backing up too far and ran him out. The umpire signaled a dead ball, and Pant withdrew the appeal, embracing Jitesh. Ashwin claims Pant should have supported his bowler instead of embarrassing him in front of millions.