In a dramatic twist during the high-stakes IPL 2025 clash between Lucknow Super Giants LSG and Royal Challengers Bengaluru RCB in Lucknow veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has openly criticized Rishabh Pant for withdrawing a crucial run-out appeal calling it a quothumiliationquot of young bowler Digvesh Rathi on a national stage. The controversy unfolded in a tense moment when Rathi attempted a non-striker run-out on RCB skipper Jitesh Sharma catching him marginally outside the crease. While the third umpire deemed the delivery invalid for a run-out that Rathi had already completed his stride the bigger surprise came when Pant withdrew the appeal altogether drawing applause for his quotsportsmanship.quot But Ashwin wasnrsquot impressed. Ashwins Strong Words ldquoSupport Your Bowlersrdquo Speaking on his show Ash ki Baat the veteran off-spinner did not hold back. ldquoA captainrsquos job is to back a player not make a bowler feel smallrdquo Ashwin said adding that decisions like these should be made before such moments arise. ldquoYou donrsquot scar a youngster like this in front of crores of people.rdquo Ashwin who has been a vocal proponent of bowlersrsquo rights especially in quotMankadingquot or non-striker run-out debatesmdashemphasized that such dismissals are legitimate and that there should be no shame in attempting them. ldquoWhy should a bowler feel insulted for doing whatrsquos well within the rules? The batsman taking that extra step can win or lose you the match.rdquo ldquoItrsquos Not About Friendship Itrsquos About Fairnessrdquo Interestingly Ashwin made it clear that his support wasnrsquot personal. ldquoDigvesh Rathi is not my friend or relativemdashI donrsquot even know him. But this is about fairness. Why should a bowler be publicly embarrassed for following the rulebook?rdquo He further warned that the public spectacle may deter young bowlers from standing their ground or enforcing fair play rules in future. RCB Marches On But the Debate Rages Meanwhile RCB rode on a sensational 83-run knock from Jitesh Sharma securing a spot in Qualifier 1 where theyrsquoll take on Punjab Kings in a blockbuster clash tomorrow. But even as the on-field action heats up the off-field conversation around sportsmanship vs. bowlers rights is now trending. Time to Protect Bowlers Too? Ashwinrsquos bold stand has reignited the long-standing debate around non-striker run-outs sportsmanship and the role of captains in high-pressure moments. While Rishabh Pant earned applause for his gesture Ashwinrsquos words serve as a sharp reminder that respect and protection should flow both ways mdash not just towards batters but bowlers too. In a game increasingly defined by razor-thin margins can cricket afford to keep sending mixed signals on whatrsquos fair play?