Delhi Capitals’ R Ashwin got involved in a heated exchange of words against the Kolkata Knight Riders duo of Tim Southee and Eoin Morgan on Wednesday, 29 September. The off-spinner later faced some heat on social media and was even criticised by former cricketers for trying to start a scuffle in the pitch.
He has now opened up about the incident and explained his side of the story in a series of tweets.
“1. I turned to run the moment I saw the fielder throw and don't know the ball had hit Rishabh. 2. Will I run if I see it!? Of course I will and I am allowed to. 3. Am I a disgrace like Morgan said I was? Of course NOT,” Ashwin tweeted.
The right-hander further added that he didn’t indulge in a “fight” but took a stand for himself. “4. Did I fight?
No, I stood up for myself and that’s what my teachers and parents taught me to do and pls teach your children to stand up for themselves,” he added.
The Knight Riders eventually won the match by 3 wickets after chasing down a target of 128 runs in the 19th over.
The KKR side lost wickets at regular intervals and it was Nitish Rana and Sunil Narine who steadied the ship for the side with a 26-run partnership for the sixth wicket. While Rana remained unbeaten at 36 off 27, Narine chipped in with a cameo of 21 runs in 10 deliveries.
Avesh Khan was the pick of the bowlers for DC as he scalped a three-for while Ashwin picked up Morgan’s wicket after the left-handed batsman was out for a two-ball duck.