IPL 2023: “It’s my discretion,” R Ashwin reveals umpire’s words over controversial wide call during RCB-RR clash

Ashwin had an animated conversation with the umpires after a controversial wide call.

By Salman Anjum - 05 May, 2023

During the 32nd match of IPL 2023 between RCB and RR at Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 23, senior off-spinner R Ashwin was involved in a long, animated conversation with the umpires after a controversial wide call.

The incident took place in the 13th over of RCB’s innings. While Glenn Maxwell backed away from his stumps moments before Ashwin’s delivery release, he returned to his original stance once the ball was airborne.

As a result, the bowler altered his line and the umpire called it wide, which left Ashwin a bit upset as he asked RR skipper Sanju Samson to review the decision.

Almost two weeks after the game, Ashwin shared his two cents on the episode while speaking on his YouTube channel.

“Maxi had both his legs on the wide line outside leg . As soon as I bowled, he came into the stumps and it was called wide. And when I asked Michael Gough the umpire, he told me “it’s my discretion”.

“When I started to run in, he [Maxwell] went outside the leg stump to that wide line and when I followed him, he came in to the stumps and had it called as a wide. I even referred it …”

The TV umpire checked all angles and upheld the on-field call. As the decision was being made, Ashwin was seen arguing with Michael Gough.

The veteran campaigner also cited his views on fielding teams being allowed to refer wide and no-balls.

“The reviews of wide no ball etc have come in but I feel it still has to be fine-tuned. The umpires are also trying to get used to it,” Ashwin said.

By Salman Anjum - 05 May, 2023

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