Despite suffering a setback with the loss of a couple of wickets during the morning session of the second day of the Third Test, Ashwin and Dhruv Jurel stood firm for the Men in Blue on a pitch favorable to batting. Amidst the challenges faced by the bowlers, an unexpected incident grabbed attention involving Ashwin, umpire Joe Wilson, and cricket’s penalty laws.
During the third delivery of the 102nd over, Rehan Ahmed delivered a full ball outside the off stump, which Ashwin elegantly drove towards Ben Duckett positioned near the covers.
However, the situation took a dramatic turn as Ashwin took a few steps down the pitch after the shot. The umpire noticed that Ashwin had stepped into the danger area of the pitch, often highlighted in red during broadcasts.
Subsequently, the spinning all-rounder engaged in a heated conversation with umpire Wilson, which appeared more like an argument. Following this, the umpire signaled five penalty runs by touching his left shoulder with his right hand, as per MCC laws 41.11, which define the protected area on the pitch.
It’s worth noting that Ravindra Jadeja had received a warning the previous day for stepping into the danger zone, and according to the rules, a warning for an individual extends to the entire team.
Ashwin’s repeat offense on behalf of his team meant England would begin their innings with a five-run advantage. Despite Ashwin’s dissatisfaction with the decision, he had no choice but to resume his batting and face the next delivery, sparking a frenzy on Twitter.
— Jas Pope (@jas_pope93438) February 16, 2024
According to MCC Law 41.14, if the batsman enters the protected area while playing or attempting to play a shot, they must immediately move away from it. A batsman will be considered to be causing avoidable damage if either umpire believes their presence on the pitch is without reasonable cause.