India’s Ravichandran Ashwin came under fire after he attempted to take a “cheating” catch during the Men in Blue’s opening match against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.
In a gentle gesture, the umpire dismissed Shaun Masood as Ashwin dived forward at fine leg to complete the catch. However, the top-order batsmen stood their ground and waited for the third umpire to review the decision.
The ball actually bounced before Ashwin took the catch – a move that drew criticism from fans.
Fortunately for Masood, the third umpire later gave not out.
Two Pakistan wickets had already fallen – Babar Azam (0) and Mohammad Rizwan (4) and Masood’s wicket at such a stage would have given India a big boost.
How fans criticized Ashwin:
CHEATING!!!#PakVsInd #INDvsPAK
— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) October 23, 2022
“I wanted to make a joke about Ashwin, but I already found this”
— Maham Gillani (@dheetafridian__) October 23, 2022
Pak vs ind #PakVsInd #ICCT20WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/2cS96Lj4jd
Wow. Ashwin literally has no morals, does he?#INDvPAK #T20WC #Cheater
— Marnie Army (@MarnieArmy) October 23, 2022
Ashwin knew it bounced.Should have told that it bounced.
— Dostoevsky (@DostoevskyNeue) October 23, 2022
Ashwin cheating
— Zain Sohail Malik 🇵🇰 🇵🇸 (@ZSM_Zain) October 23, 2022
wah ashwin kya acting ha, ahmad shahzad ke baap nikle#INDvsPAK
— sid. (@uuuuhdis) October 23, 2022
Ashwin kitna manhoos hai yaar. Sportsmanship whatt?
— Fatima. (@whatThefkFatima) October 23, 2022
Nvm.. still cheater Ashwin
— Arun (@ManUtdSZN) October 23, 2022
Ashwin is the most unfit fielder.
— …. .- .-. … …. (@MusafirSafar1) October 23, 2022
It was a clear not out ! Ashwin you cheater #PakVsInd
— caramyl (@caramyl920) October 23, 2022
Mankad ashwin for you#droppedcatch
— ZORO (@mosshead069) October 23, 2022
Its not a sportsmen ship ashwin…
— Muhammad Mazhar (@Muhamma03727757) October 23, 2022
Ashwin should attend fakhar zaman school of honesty
— 🌙 (@scrofanoswift) October 23, 2022
