Coimbatore, [Date] – The Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025 witnessed high drama on Sunday at the SNR College Cricket Ground in Coimbatore, as former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin found himself embroiled in a heated exchange with on-field umpire Kritika following a contentious LBW decision during the clash between Dindigul Dragons and IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans.
Ashwin, leading the Dindigul Dragons, opened the batting but was dismissed for a modest 18 runs off 14 balls by opposition skipper R Sai Kishore. The turning point came on the fifth ball of the fifth over when Ashwin was adjudged LBW. Visibly shocked, the veteran spinner was convinced the ball had pitched outside the leg stump—a call that replays later seemed to validate. Unwilling to accept the decision, Ashwin approached umpire Kritika, engaging in an animated discussion, pointing towards the pitch to argue his case.
The tense moment, captured on video, has since gone viral across social media platforms, showing Ashwin’s growing frustration as the umpire stood firm, eventually turning away to end the conversation. Unable to contain his disappointment, Ashwin stormed off the field, striking his pads with his bat in a display of raw emotion. This incident has sparked widespread debate online, with fans and analysts split over whether Ashwin’s reaction crossed the line or if the decision indeed warranted such frustration.
Adding fuel to the fire, replay footage circulating online appears to support Ashwin’s claim, clearly showing the ball pitching marginally outside the leg-stump line—an angle that, under cricket rules, should have ruled out an LBW dismissal. This controversy comes at a challenging time for the 38-year-old, who endured a forgettable IPL 2025 campaign with Chennai Super Kings, managing just seven wickets in nine matches at a dismal average of 40.42 and an economy rate touching 9.5.
The match itself offered little respite for Ashwin and his team. Dindigul Dragons crumbled under pressure, folding for a paltry 93 in 16.2 overs. Tiruppur’s bowlers ran riot, with Esakkimuthu leading the charge with a fiery 4/26, while Sai Kishore chipped in with two crucial wickets, including the prized scalp of Ashwin. In response, IDream Tiruppur Tamizhans made light work of the chase, powered by Tushar Raheja’s unbeaten 65 off 39 balls, which included six fours and three sixes. The team clinched a dominant nine-wicket victory with a staggering 49 balls to spare, underlining their supremacy on the day.
Beyond the scorecard, Ashwin’s outburst has reignited discussions about player-umpire interactions and the use of technology in domestic leagues like TNPL. While the tournament does not employ the Decision Review System (DRS) used in international cricket and the IPL, incidents like these highlight the need for such tools to prevent avoidable controversies. Ashwin, known for his sharp cricketing mind and competitive spirit, has often been vocal about fair play, but his reaction on Sunday raises questions about handling adversity under pressure.
As the TNPL 2025 season progresses, all eyes will be on Ashwin to see if he can channel this frustration into performance. With over 400 international wickets and a storied career, the spinner remains a fan favorite, but moments like these remind us of the intense emotions that define the gentleman’s game. For now, the viral video of his clash with umpire Kritika continues to dominate headlines, serving as a stark reminder that even champions aren’t immune to the heat of the battle.