Ravichandran Ashwin and umpire Nitin Menon were seen on the two sides of a heated argument on the third day of the first Test match between India and New Zealand. The spat is believed to be about the senior off-spinner, who, while bowling, ran across Menon in his follow through and obstructing his and non-striker’s view.  

Ashwin broke New Zealand’s 151-run opening stand with Will Young’s (89) wicket. It was a flatter delivery outside off stump that did not not turn much and stayed low. Substitute wicketkeeper took a low catch to affect the dismissal. The bowler had released the ball from closer to the stumps and ran across the umpire and the non-striker to deceive the Young. 

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Umpire Nitin Menon immediately brought the follow through (running across) to Ashwin’s attention. Soon the animated exchange between the bowler and the umpire was joined by skipper Ajinkya Rahane. 

Notably, Ashwin was not stepping into the danger area. He would run across the stumps, move across the umpire’s vision and deliver the ball almost beside the non-striker. The 35-year-old then stepped away from the danger area, and veered away from the non-striker.

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“It comes under fair play and the umpire has every right to do that. It’s basically common sense. Twice, at least, we saw Ashwin sort of amble across after releasing the ball. He didn’t exactly hurry to get off the path. In case there was a single opportunity, there would have been a collision,” an experienced first-class umpire, who shall remain anonymous, said, as per The Indian Express reports. 

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However, Ashwin bowled the same way after the discussion. 

“That tells me that it wasn’t about danger area or umpire’s vision but about non-striker. The non striker can’t stand on the other side, as he then would be actually obstructing the vision of his partner on strike. As Ashwin’s run up would be from right behind him. He can of course go and stand near the square-leg but considering the green grass all around, it wouldn’t be sensible. All Ashwin had to do was to get away from the strip, which he did later after Menon spoke to him,” the umpire told The Indian Express.

“It’s just a friendly chat, a gentle warning basically first. As this comes within Fair Play. Only if things escalate, the umpire would give an official warning and let the rules take it its own course.”

Commenting on the incident, former cricketer turned commentator Aakash Chopra said, “There’s no merit in distracting the umpire. Yes, you have the DRS. But the impact of an ‘umpire’s call’ must never be taken lightly.”

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Former India batter WV Raman also expressed his thoughts. 

“The umpire’s contention could be that his view will be blocked with @ashwinravi99 running across him in his follow through. Of course, with Ash staying within the danger area, the warning cannot be issued. Trust Ash to create a conundrum even for umpires,” Raman tweeted. 

After being dismissed for 345, India managed to restrict New Zealand for 296 runs. Ashwin finished with 3/82.