Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and the Dindigul Dragons, the team he captains in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), have been exonerated of ball-tampering charges raised by the Madurai Panthers. The Panthers accused the Dragons of using towels “treated with chemicals” to tamper with the ball during a match on June 14 in Salem. However, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) found no evidence of ball-tampering. “The towels in question were TNCA-issued and equally available to both teams,” stated TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan. He added, “The Playing Control Team, which includes umpires and the match referee, maintained full oversight of the ball throughout the match. No concerns were raised during play, and no verifiable evidence has been presented. The claims appear speculative and post-facto in nature.” The towels were provided by the state cricket association to dry the ball if it became wet, and the drying process occurred in the presence of the on-field umpires. The TNPL requested the Panthers submit proof to “substantiate” their allegations. Kannan noted that the accusation seemed speculative, based solely on internal team communications without supporting evidence. Kannan emphasised that no complaint was lodged by the on-field umpires or the match referee during or after the match. “The towels in question were TNCA-issued and equally available to both teams,” he reiterated. An internal committee was formed by the TNCA to discuss the issue. The controversy began when Panthers CEO Mahesh S wrote to the TNPL, claiming “blatant” ball tampering by the defending champions, the Dragons. He also requested the TNPL leadership to investigate the source of the towels. In the match at the Salem Cricket Foundation Ground, the Dragons defeated the Panthers by nine wickets. The Panthers scored 150 for 8 in 20 overs, while Ashwin went wicketless, conceding 27 runs in his four overs. However, he contributed significantly with the bat, scoring 49 runs off 29 balls as an opener, leading the Dragons to chase down the target in 12.3 overs. (With inputs from PTI)