Ravichandran Ashwin Accused of Ball-Tampering in TNPL, League Demands Proof from Madurai Panthers

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian off-spinner, currently representing the Dindigul Dragons in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), has been accused of ball-tampering by the Madurai Panthers. The hullabaloo followed the Dragons' comfortable nine-wicket victory over the Panthers on June 14.

The Madurai franchise has submitted a written complaint to the TNPL in which it has accused Ashwin and his teammates of tampering with the ball in a match in Salem. According to a report in The Indian Express, the Panthers allege that Ashwin and the other members of the Dindigul team used chemically-treated towels to tamper with the ball, causing it to become heavier. They also alleged the ball made a metallic sound when struck by the bat.

S Mahesh, the COO of the Madurai Panthers, wrote in the complaint, "There has been a serious case of ball tampering in the game in which we faced Dindigul Dragons. There were multiple warnings issued for officially tampering with the ball and the Dindigul team, with towels that definitely looked treated with chemicals, was evidently tampering with the ball."

Ravichandran Ashwin, an experienced Indian off-spinner currently playing for the Dindigul Dragons in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), has been accused of ball-tampering by the Madurai Panthers. The controversy came after the Dragons' easy nine-wicket victory over the Panthers on June 14.

The Madurai franchise made a formal complaint to the TNPL claiming Ravichandran Ashwin and his teammates tampered with the ball in their match played in Salem. According to The Indian Express, the Panthers are claiming Ashwin and the rest of the Dindigul team used chemically-treated towels to tamper with the ball as it turned heavier. They also added that the ball made a metallic sound whenever it was impacted by the bat.

S Mahesh, the COO of the Madurai Panthers stated in the complaint, "There have been extreme warning and warning for officially tampering with the ball and there has been a serious case of ball tampering in the game where we had played the Dindigul Dragons..and the Dindigul team was clearly tampering with the ball despite receiving warnings and using towels which definitely looked treated with chemicals."

This is not Ashwin's only controversy which he has become embroiled in this season. Just recently, the 38 year old was fined 30 percent of his match fee for his rant of the LBW decision in the Dragons' match against the Tiruppur Tamizhans on June 8.

Ashwin, who recently played for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2025 and confirmed his retirement from international cricket in December to leave with more than 700 international wickets, did not comment on the allegations.

As TNPL unfolds, the focus will be on the league's investigation and Madurai Panthers' ability to corroborate their word against one of India's most notable cricketers.