Pakistan vs India T20 WC 2022: R Ashwin at centre of 'cheating' storm for claiming catch

Ashwin was at the center of controversy in the Pakistan vs. India tense clash match when he claimed a low catch from a ball that had clearly bounced.

Ashwin dived forward for the catch after Shan Masood top-edged a ball from Mohammed Shami down to the fine leg.

The India fielder got up and claimed the catch, racing in to celebrate with his teammates, initiating on-field official Marais Erasmus to refer the decision to the third umpire.

India's Ravichandran Ashwin claiming a catch which he knew he hadn't taken is a serious offence in cricket. Many Non-Indian cricketers were banned by ICC for claiming a bump ball under 'conduct contrary to the spirit of the game'. Will @ICC ban Ashwin for cheating? 💰 #NotCricket

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) October 23, 2022

Erasmus gave a ‘soft signal’ of out, but replays showed the ball had clearly hit the grass before bouncing into Ashwin’s hands.

The ball clearly bounced before going into Ravi Ashwin’s hands.

The third umpire didn’t take long to return a decision of ‘not out’, with fans quick to condemn Ashwin for claiming the catch.

The India star may not have realized the ball bounced because he was diving and would have lost sight of it, but many were quick to accuse him of ‘cheating’ and trying to pull the wool over the umpires’ eyes.

Angry Twitter fans reacted to the incident

Ashwin is embarrassing me and all my fellow great Tamilians. How can you claim that as a catch? https://t.co/rFhZQIjttl

— Kaushik Ram (@KaushikRam25) October 23, 2022

“Ravichandran Ashwin claiming a catch which he knew he hadn’t taken is a serious offence in cricket,” tweeted Daniel Alexander.

“Many non-Indian cricketers were banned by ICC for claiming a bump ball under ‘conduct contrary to the spirit of the game’. Will ICC ban Ashwin for cheating?”

Needing 16 runs off the final over, Ashwin hit the last ball over cover with the scores tied to secure the winning run and send the majority of the 90,293 fans into pandemonium.

Ashwin claimed catch of Shaan Masood that clearly touched the ground. Where is the sportsmanship? #IndvsPak #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/6mSbYrD680

— Sitarah Anjum Official (@SitarahAnjum) October 23, 2022

One of the most delicate batters of his generation, the 33-year-old started his innings slowly but exploded after the 10th over when India was 4-45.

“I have no idea how that happened,” Kohli said.

“Hardik kept telling me just believe, believe you can do it and stay until the end.

“I was kind of pumping myself up to hit two sixes when we needed 28 off eight (balls), and that became 16 off six.

“I think I will count this one higher (than any other T20 innings) because of the magnitude of the game and what the situation was – it seemed impossible.”

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