A day after the Madurai Panthers formally lodged a complaint with the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), accusing R. Ashwin’s Dindigul Dragons of ball tampering during their June 14 match, the league organizers responded, requesting the franchise to submit concrete evidence. The Panthers alleged that the Dindigul side used towels treated with chemicals, resulting in the ball becoming heavier and producing a metallic sound upon contact with the bat. The claims have raised eyebrows, especially considering the stature of players involved.

TNPL CEO Prasanna Kannan confirmed the receipt of the complaint and acknowledged the gravity of the allegations. While noting that such complaints should ideally be filed within 24 hours of the match, he said the league has still accepted Madurai’s submission and will take appropriate steps once proof is furnished. “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,” he told The Indian Express.

In the letter submitted to TNPL, Madurai franchise COO S. Mahesh wrote, “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.” The match was held in Salem under damp conditions, with a brief rain delay before Madurai batted first and scored 150/8. Dindigul chased the total in just 12.3 overs, winning by nine wickets. Ashwin, who opened the innings and scored 49, went wicketless with the ball.

Towels, Checks, and Match Protocols

The TNPL, considering the monsoon-affected conditions, provides towels to all franchises for drying the ball—but only under strict guidelines. Kannan clarified that players are allowed to dry the ball in the presence of umpires using official TNPL-issued towels. “They have to dry the ball only using the towels provided by TNPL. And every time the ball is hit for a six or immediately after a dismissal and overbreak, umpires regularly check the ball, and they didn’t find any issue with the ball during the said match,” he said.

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The league’s position is firm: if Madurai does not produce verifiable evidence, they cannot progress with the complaint, and the franchise risks disciplinary action for making unverifiable allegations. The TNPL is waiting to see what will happen next as the focus on the big-money match continues.