IPL 2020: Ashwin makes shocking claim about Ponting regarding Finch's Mankading warning

Ravichandran Ashwin had grabbed headlines during the Indian Premier League last year after he had run-out Jos Buttler for backing up too far. This edition, he paused to give Aaron Finch a virtual warning, as head coach Ricky Ponting was not entirely in favour of Mankading.

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin is known to be conniving when it comes to dismissing batsman via run-out, for the latter backing up too far. Although he came up with a virtual warning for Aaron Finch this season in the Indian Premier League (IPL), he has made a shocking revelation regarding the same about Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting.

It happened on Monday night, during DC's tie against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). During the third over of RCB's innings, Australian opener, Aaron Finch, had backed up during the fourth delivery, as Ashwin halted his run-up. He did not break the stumps but instead, gave a crooked smile to him, while Ponting was seen smiling in the dug-out.

After Ashwin was traded to DC this season from Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), Ponting had a discussion with him over the matter. Ashwin was involved in a similar controversy last season when he had run-out Jos Buttler through Mankading. The incident garnered heat on social media, as many termed Ashwin a 'cheat', for violating the spirit.

Nonetheless, Ashwin has recently revealed that Ponting wanted him to run-out Finch at the non-striker's end, as the latter had backed up way too far. “How far he (Finch) went out! I was about to stand and tell you to run him out,” Ashwin said about Ponting telling him after the match.

“One side of the boundary was pretty big on that ground. I knew 100 per cent that someone will back up too early today [at the non-striker’s end]. I thought, someone will step out today and I will have my first catch," he further quoted on his YouTube channel.

“As I ran in to bowl that delivery, just before I got into my delivery stride and jump, a golden helmet is rolling along, like a detached coach of a train. I then stopped and thought, ‘should I run him out or not’? He still didn’t come back, he was looking at me. He is a good friend since the days of Kings XI Punjab. A very good man. I have spent lots of time with him in the evenings. I thought, ‘okay let it go, let this be a final warning," Ashwin continued.

“There is no skill involved in running out a batsman like this. But, if you keep going out, what option is left to us?” he wondered.

Meanwhile, Ashwin took to Twitter, following the match against RCB, which was won by DC, as he issued the final warning of the season, alerting all batsmen in the IPL. "Let’s make it clear !! First and final warning for 2020. I am making it official and don’t blame me later on. @RickyPonting #runout #nonstriker @AaronFinch5 and I are good buddies btw. #IPL2020," he wrote.