Dindigul Dragons captain Ashwin was fined 30% of his match fee after match referee Arjun Kripal Singh found him guilty on two counts.
Ashwin Fined for Code of Conduct Breach in TNPL Match
Veteran India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin’s post-international cricket journey has taken a rough turn. Following a below-par IPL season with Chennai Super Kings, Ashwin found himself in fresh controversy during a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match between Dindigul Dragons and Tiruppur Tamizhans on June 8 at the Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts and Science Ground in Coimbatore.
Ravichandran, captaining Dindigul Dragons, was fined 30% of his match fee for violating the code of conduct. Match referee Arjun Kripal Singh penalized him 10% for showing dissent towards the umpires and 20% for misuse of equipment. “There was a hearing conducted by the match referee after the game,” a TNPL official told Cricbuzz. “Ashwin accepted the sanctions.”
The incident unfolded in the fifth over when Ashwin, who opened the batting, was adjudged lbw to R Sai Kishore. Attempting a sweep shot to a delivery that appeared to pitch outside leg stump, Ashwin missed the ball and was given out by umpire Kritika. With all DRS reviews already used on failed wide-ball appeals, Ashwin was visibly upset and approached the umpire, demanding an explanation. His frustration boiled over as he stormed off, slamming his bat on his pads and flinging his gloves near the dugout.
Tiruppur Crush Dindigul as Ashwin’s Struggles Continue
Ashwin gave Dindigul Dragons a brisk start with a quickfire 18 off 11 balls, including two fours and a six. However, his dismissal at 39/1 in the fifth over triggered a dramatic collapse. Dindigul lost their remaining nine wickets for just 54 runs, folding for 93 in 16.2 overs.
Tiruppur Tamizhans chased down the modest target with ease. Wicketkeeper-batter Tushar Raheja anchored the innings with an unbeaten 65, guiding Tiruppur to a dominant nine-wicket win with 49 balls to spare. The bowlers had set the stage with a clinical performance — Esakkimuthu starred with four wickets, Sai Kishore claimed two, and the rest supported with tight spells. Only three Dindigul batters reached double figures, with Shivam top-scoring at 30.
Ashwin, who has had a rough patch, continued to struggle. Following a forgettable IPL 2025 with Chennai Super Kings — where he started his IPL journey in 2009 — he managed just 7 wickets and 33 runs in 9 matches and was even dropped from the XI in some games.