England handed five-runs as Ravi Ashwin ‘caught bang to rights’

India are in the box seat against England but rare penalty has given the visitors a much-needed boost that has left one star fuming.

India have gifted England five runs to start their innings after Ravichandran Ashwin was penalised after running down the middle of the pitch.

The rare penalty was handed out as India moved past 350 in the first innings, having ridden twin centuries from Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja after the pair rescued the side from 3/33 with a 204-run stand.

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However, during Jadeja’s 225-ball 112, he was warned over running down the danger zone down the middle of the pitch.

So when Ashwin ran down the middle of the pitch in the 102nd over, umpire Joel Wilson had no choice but to award the five runs to the visitors.

According to the laws of cricket, “deliberate or avoidable damage to the pitch” is an offence.

“A batter will be deemed to be causing avoidable damage if either umpire considers that his/her presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause,” law 41.14 states.

Law 41.14.2 covers the procedure, which requires a warning to the batting team in a “first and final warning”, that covers the entire innings.

Law 41.14.3 covers the awarding of five runs to the fielding team and informing the batting team of the decision.

Five runs to England. Photo: Fox Sports

Ashwin was reprimanded by on-field umpire Joel Wilson on the morning of day two in Rajkot and England will start their innings with five for no loss as a result of the offence.

It came in the 102nd over when Ashwin knocked a ball into the off-side before taking off down the middle of the pitch.

Ashwin attempted to argue his case with Wilson, who awarded the five penalty runs.

“Wow. Now the second time I’ve seen this happen,” commentator Sanjay Manjrekar said.

“We told you last time yesterday when Jadeja ran down the pitch that that was the final warning.

“So with that gesture and signal from the umpire, we can confirm that its five penalty runs.”

Ashwin wasn’t happy, seemingly poking Wilson when complaining about the call.

Former England spinner Graeme Swann said in football that that would be a straight booking.

“He’s not happy with the umpire. He’s remonstrating,” ex-England spinner Graeme Swann said in commentary.

“But he did run straight down the pitch.

“You’re not allowed down the middle of the pitch – and I’m sorry, Mr Ashwin, you’re caught bang to rights there.”

You can't run down the middle of the pitch. Photo: Fox Sports

Ashwin was far from happy. Photo: Fox Sports

During the lunch break, Indian legend Anil Kumble said it was the correct decision.

“The umpires have that area to themselves. You can’t go there, it’s forbidden,” Kumble said during the lunch break.

“There were warnings yesterday … But he (Ashwin) probably didn’t realise there were already warnings, so that might be one of the reasons why he had a chat with the umpire.”

But speaking on TNT Sports, former English captain Alastair Cook hit out at the move.

“Is it deliberate? Yes, it is,” Cook said.

“It’s a tactical ploy that you can disturb the middle of the wicket because Ashwin wants as much help (as possible) when he bowls.

“That was gamesmanship there, wasn’t it?”

It's Duckett and Crawley's fastest start yet ... and India are still batting https://t.co/TKCcofZMIN

— Ali Martin (@Cricket_Ali) February 16, 2024

India has been penalised after Ashwin ran in the middle of the pitch.

So England will start their innings with 5-0 Now. They got 5 bonus runs.#INDvsENGTest | #INDvENG#INDvsENG

— Nikhil (@Risenik) February 16, 2024

It’s not the first time this has happened in international cricket.

It had happened to the Indian team against New Zealand in 2016/17 as well, while two lots of five-run penalties were awarded in the 2018 Women’s World Cup in a match between Pakistan and India.

It’s also happened to Australia in 2020 when Marnus Labuschagne, then David Warner ran down the middle of the pitch in a match against New Zealand.

In that match, Warner also complaining, arguing he got off the pitch as soon as he could, which Brett Lee and Kerry O’Keeffe agreed with in Fox Sports commentary.

“Where’s he meant to run?” Lee said.

“I don’t think he could have veered off quicker than he did, given his momentum,” O’Keeffe added.

“There was no intent to really churn it up … he actually tried to veer quickly after he played the shot.”

India were finally dismissed for 445. But England are already 0/5.

With AFP