Ashwin bowled 4 overs for just 27 runs, but failed to take one wicket in the match as Dindigul Dragon banned Madurai Panthers up to 150/8 and took the target down comfortably.
A major controversy has struck the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL). Dindigul Dragons (DD) captain and one of the biggest players in the tournament, Ravichandran Ashwin, has been accused of ball tampering by the Siechem Madurai Panthers (SMP).
Ashwin accused of ball tampering
The two sides faced each other in the 11th match of the TNPL 2025 season on June 14 and the Dindigul defeated Madurai with ease, by 9 wickets and 45 balls to spare. However, after the match, D Pooja, CEO of the Madurai Panthers, wrote a letter to TNPL, accusing Ashwin of ball tampering. She claimed that the all-rounder used some sort of chemical on the towel to tamper with the ball and give undue advantage to his team.
“A serious case of ball tampering occurred during our recent match against Dindigul Dragons. Despite repeated warnings, the Dindigul team blatantly tampered with the ball, using towels that appeared to have been treated with chemicals. Our technical team is also investigating other possible methods used by the bowlers and fielders to tamper with the ball. We will submit a detailed report of our findings,” D Pooja wrote.
TNPL to investigate controversy
Although TNPL gives a franchise 24 hours to complain about a match, they have accepted Madurai’s appeal. They will form an independent committee to determine whether Madurai has any credible evidence of Ashwin’s alleged wrongdoing. If it turns out the accusation are false, Madurai will be sanctioned.
“They have filed a complaint, which we have acknowledged. Though they have to lodge any complaints within 24 hours of the game, we have still accepted it and have asked them to furnish proof of their allegations. We will be forming an independent committee if we find there is any truth to their allegations. Without sufficient evidence, it is wrong to put forth such allegations against a player and another franchise. If they don’t provide any evidence, then Madurai will face due sanctions,” TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan told The Indian Express.
On the use of towels for ball tampering, Kannan said, “They have to dry the ball only using the towels provided by TNPL. And every time the ball is hit for a six or immediately after a dismissal and over-break, umpires regularly check the ball and they didn’t find any issue with the ball during the said match.”
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