‘Am I a disgrace like Morgan said I was?’ : Ashwin slams critics over 'Spirit of the Game' row

Ace spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has responded to the allegations of him playing against the Spirit of the Game’. It all happened during Delhi Capitals’ (DC) match against Kolkata Knight Riders. Ashwin tried to steal a run of the ball that ricocheted of Rishabh Pant’s body from a throw, leaving Eoin Morgan and Tim Southee bemused. The duo tried to school Ashwin, which the spinner was not ready to take. The three players got into a heated argument before Dinesh Karthik separated the players.

Former Australia spinner Shane Warne also jumped into the debate and slammed Ashwin, calling the act disgraceful. The DC spinner has now tried to put forth his side of the story and slammed the people who are trying to teach him about the ‘Spirit of the Game’.

“I tried to run the moment I saw the fielder throw and didn’t know the ball had hit Rishabh,” he wrote. “Will I run if I see it? Of course I will and I am allowed to,” said Ashwin

Ashwin added he has been taught to take a stand for himself and that is what he did in the game. The spinner also blasted Morgan and Southee and said he doesn't need to learn the morals of the game from them.

“In Morgan or Southee’s world of cricket they can choose and stick to what they believe is right or wrong but do not have the right to take a moral high ground and use words that are derogatory,” Ashwin wrote.

He also had a message for the people who’re criticising him for degrading the game. Ashwin said the definition of the 'Spirit of the Game' is different for him . “There are millions of cricketers with several thought processes that play this great game to make it their careers. Teach them that an extra run taken due to a poor throw aimed to get you out can make your career and an extra yard stolen by the non-striker can break your career.”

“Do not confuse them by telling them that you will be termed a good person if you refuse the run or warn the non striker, because all these people who are terming you good or bad have already made a living or they are doing what it takes to be successful elsewhere.”

“Give your heart and soul on the field and play within the rules of the game and shake your hands once the game is over. The above is the only ‘spirit of the game’ I understand,” he wrote.