R Ashwin, a former India off-spinner, responded to a wasted opportunity to run a batter out at the non-striker's end during a thrilling Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT 2025) match between Tamil Nadu and Delhi on Friday, November 28.

Ashwin recalled the backlash he received after he ran Jos Buttler out at the non-striker's end during an IPL 2019 encounter, claiming that criticism is often too much for a bowler to bear.

On Friday, Delhi successfully chased down 199 against Tamil Nadu to record a key win in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy's second round.

Delhi needed 12 runs in the final over after losing an in-form Ayush Badoni for 41 (23 balls) in the nineteenth over. Himmat Singh and Anuj Rawat were at the crease, and the pair reduced the score to two runs off the last delivery.

Gurjapneet tried to hit a yorker but instead threw a full toss, which Himmat Singh crushed to deep point. Shahrukh Khan, stationed at the boundary, got both hands on the ball but couldn't hang on. The ball soared over the ropes for a six, and Delhi celebrated their exciting victory.

Replays revealed that Rawat, at the non-striker's end, had made a large step out of his crease before Gurjapneet finished his delivery stride. If the left-arm pacer had seen and removed the bails at the non-striker's end, Tamil Nadu would have won the match. However, Gurjapneet did not notice the non-striker obtaining an unfair advantage.

An X (formerly Twitter) user shared a screenshot of the moment where Gurjapneet Singh missed the chance to run out Anuj Rawat at the non-striker’s end, when Delhi needed two runs from the final delivery, and tagged R Ashwin in his post.

Ashwin quoted the post and stated: “Why face backlash! Too much to take for a bowler.”