During the match at the BRSABV Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, on the fifth ball of the 17th over of RCB\u2019s chase, spinner Digvesh Rathi pulled out of his bowling action and inflicted a run-out of PBKS stand-in captain Jitesh Sharma at the non-striker's end. Rathi appealed for it, which was then referred to the third umpire, who ruled Jitesh not out as the bowler had seemingly completed his delivery stride.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Even if the third umpire had ruled Jitesh out, the wicketkeeper-batter would have been safe as Pant told the on-field umpires that he would be withdrawing the appeal. Pant\u2019s decision was labelled as a great act of sportsmanship by on-air commentators, but it didn\u2019t please Ashwin, who caused the run-out of Jos Buttler in a similar fashion in IPL 2019.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While Digvesh wanted to go for the review, Rishabh Pant decided against doing so. Nevertheless, the on-field umpires sent it to the third umpire for a check, and it was deemed not out.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cDigvesh Rathi landed on his front foot, and Jitesh Sharma was inside his crease. So, in all technical possibilities, this is not out. After hitting the stumps, Michael Gough asked Digvesh Rathi whether he was appealing, and not \u2018are you sure\u2019. Digvesh said yes, he is appealing and approached the third umpire.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe third umpire said that he has crossed his delivery stride, the batsman is inside the crease, I have a decision - Not Out. Now, what happened? The commentators on air said that 'Rishabh Pant has withdrawn the appeal. What an amazing act of sportsmanship'. Come on yaar, let\u2019s grow out of this.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cRishabh Pant is a fantastic cricketer. He scored his century in 61 balls and made 118 runs, a fabulous, fabulous knock. I don\u2019t think this will be the first, don\u2019t think this will be the last. Rishabh Pant will go on to do great things on the cricket field. I\u2019m looking forward to the England Test series to see how he will bat. I\u2019m a huge fan of Rishabh Pant,\u201d said Ashwin on his YouTube channel.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Incidentally, Jitesh went on to make an unbeaten 85 off just 33 balls as RCB beat LSG by six wickets and sealed their Qualifier 1 meeting with Punjab Kings at Mullanpur in New Chandigarh on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Ashwin, who retired from international cricket last year during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Australia, felt that Pant should have backed Rathi, citing that withdrawing the appeal was a humiliation of the bowler who had been one of the finds for LSG in IPL 2025.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut a captain\u2019s job is to back his players and not make a bowler look small. Let\u2019s stop this vilification of that youngster in front of crores and crores of people. Do we do that to anyone else? Why make a bowler look small? It is actually a humiliation.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhat happens is a bowler feels so small that he will never do it (again). And people will come and say in the comments here that he should not do it. Why? Why should it not be done? Digvesh Rathi is not my relative, he is not my friend. I don\u2019t know who he is.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBut a captain\u2019s job is to back his players and not make a bowler look small. Let\u2019s stop this vilification of that youngster in front of crores and crores of people. Do we do that to anyone else? Why make a bowler look small? It is actually a humiliation.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> LIVE Cricket Score<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n