Ravichandran Ashwin lashes out at batting-oriented IPL award presentations: 'Bowler ball leke bhaag jayega ground se...'

Ravichandran Ashwin is back to playing IPL cricket for Chennai Super Kings, representing the team he started off with and made his start with. Now over a decade and a half on from his first season at the Chepauk, Ashwin remains his outspoken self. Most recently, Ashwin criticised the IPL for prioritising batting during its post-game presentation shows, to the detriment of bowlers.

Speaking on his Youtube channel while reviewing IPL games, Ashwin said “In the IPL presentation show, there are at least 10 awards that they give out to people. In fact 50% of both teams receives some sort of award. But if someone bowls well, delivers a good over, they don’t even get a single award.”

The IPL’s presentation show is not just ceremonial, with big cash prizes and bonuses being handed out for player of the match, as well as players with the most boundaries, sixes, highest strike rate, amongst other things. Ashwin took issue with this.

“You have the super striker, super fours, super sixes, it’s all there. Super ball isn’t there,” complained Ashwin. “One time there was a fastest ball award, but if someone hits a six off the fastest ball of the day, he will still get the award. It’s a remarkable thing.”

Ash and co. demand more respect for bowlers

The IPL has started awarding a prize to the bowler with the most dot balls delivered in a match, which is an improvement from years gone by. However, Ashwin still sees room for improvement.

Former Indian pacer Vivek Razdan, a co-host on Ashwin’s channel, also commented: “And the funniest thing is, the most important person in this sport is the bowler. Why? Because the game only comes to life when the bowler delivers the ball. Everything else in cricket is reaction.”

“The game starts with the bowlers, and the one who is starting the game himself doesn’t get respect,” concluded Razdan.

In reaction, Ashwin quipped “Itna door nahin hai ki bowler ball leke bhaag nahin jayega ground se bahar (It's not so far that the bowler can't run away from the ground with the ball.) Agar mein ball nahin daalunga toh aap maaroge kaise? (If I don't deliver the ball then how will you hit it?)”

Ashwin registered a wicket in his spell in CSK’s opening match against Mumbai Indians, dismissing Will Jacks and playing a support role to player of the match Noor Ahmad. He and his team’s next match will remain in Chennai as they prepare for a high-octane Southern Derby against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.