Steve Smith abused me, says R Ashwin

PUNE: Chennai off-spinner R Ashwin denied that his attempt to run out Pune all-rounder Steve Smith during the IPL match on Sunday was against the spirit of the game and alleged that the latter abused him, triggering an ugly verbal spat between the two.

"There was no question of violating the spirit of the game on my part," Ashwin said after the night game at the Subrata Roy Sahara stadium which the hosts won by seven wickets.

In the 15th over of the Pune innings, Ashwin checked his delivery stride and whipped the bails at the non-striker's end but Smith was well within the crease. An angry exchange of words followed between the two which continued after the completion of the over.

Ashwin said the Australian, perhaps annoyed that the bowler didn't give a warning for backing up too far, abused him. "He started to abuse me ... Without knowing the rules, he abused me and I hurled it back," he claimed.