Veteran Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has found himself in major trouble during the ongoing Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2025, where he is playing for and leading the Dindigul Dragons, who are the defending champions.

The accusation has been made against Ashwin by Madurai Panthers and claimed the incident during their game against the Dragons, which took place at the Salem Cricket Foundation Cricket Stadium in the Salem District of Tamil Nadu. The game in question took place on Saturday (June 14). Dragons won the match with ease by a nine-wicket margin as they chased a target of 151 with 45 balls to spare.

Ashwin was the star of the victory as he opened the batting for the Dragons and scored 49 runs in just 29 balls with six boundaries and three sixes to his name. Shivam Singh, Ashwin's opening partner, was the top-scorer with an unbeaten knock of 86 in 41 balls. Earlier, Ashwin bowled four overs and gave away just 27 runs but remained wicketless. Varun Chakravarthy also plays for the Dragons and gave away just 19 runs in four overs while also taking one wicket.

The Panthers have made an official complaint against the Dragons to the TNPL and claimed that a towel treated with chemicals was used. The franchise also claimed that, as a result of the tampering, a metallic sound could be heard when the ball came in contact with the bat as per the Indian Express.

“A serious case of ball tampering occurred during our recent match against Dindigul Dragons. Despite repeated warnings, the Dindigul team blatantly tampered with the ball, using towels that appeared to have been treated with chemicals," Panthers CEO D Pooja wrote in an official complaint to the organisers as quoted by the publication.

However, the franchise is yet to produce any proof, and TNPL management has asked the franchise to furnish evidence of the wrongdoings by Ashwin and his team.

“They have filed a complaint, which we have acknowledged. Though they have to lodge any complaints within 24 hours of the game, we have still accepted it and have asked them to furnish proof of their allegations. We will be forming an independent committee if we find there is any truth to their allegations. Without sufficient evidence, it is wrong to put forth such allegations against a player and another franchise. If they don’t provide any evidence, then Madurai will face due sanctions," TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan told the Indian Express.

Kanan also explained in his interaction with the same publication that, due to rain, teams are allowed to use towels, but only those provided by the TNPL. He also claimed that umpires regularly check the ball after a six is hit, every dismissal, and during the over break, but found nothing wrong.

Talking about Ashwin, he retired from international cricket in December last year, but has continued to play in franchise cricket. He also played the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) for Chennai Super Kings.

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