'So hard to believe you're no more' - Ravi Ashwin mourns untimely demise of TNPL spinner MP Rajesh

The Tamil Nadu cricket fraternity suffered a major blow on Monday after 35-year-old spinner Prasanth Rajesh (MP Rajesh) passed away due to a sudden heart attack. Rajesh, a leg-spinner, had debuted in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) in 2018, scalping three wickets and helping his side LYCA Kovai Kings beat IDream Karaikudi Kaalai by five runs in the Super Over.

The Super Over thriller was played at the Indian Cement Company Ground in Tirunelveli and current SRH pacer T Natarajan had also played alongside Rajesh. Rajesh was a vital cog of Kovai Kings in the Tamil Nadu Premier League.

Entire Tamil Nadu cricket circle was stunned after Rajesh’s untimely death. Apart from plying his trade in the TNPL, Rajesh had also featured for the Tamil Nadu U19 team and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association XI side.

I will never forget the after match conversations: Ravi Ashwin

Upon Rajesh’s demise, Ravichandran Ashwin, who is currently representing Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020, expressed his grief. Ashwin took to Twitter to express his shock on MP Rajesh’s untimely demise. Ashwin wrote that he couldn’t believe the tragic news and added that he’ll always remember his after-match conversations with Rajesh.

“RIP M.P Rajesh… So hard to believe that you are no more. I will never forget the after match conversations we used to have,” Ashwin tweeted.

RIP M.P Rajesh.. So hard to believe that you are no more. I will never forget the after match conversations we used to have @sanch_cs @raaravind

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) October 5, 2020

Meanwhile, Ashwin, in the past few hours, has been in the news for other reasons. The veteran off-spinner, in yesterday’s game against Royal Challengers Bangalore, almost pulled off ‘Mankading’ when Aaron Finch was at the non-striker’s end.

After mankading Jos Buttler of Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the previous IPL edition, fans expected that Ashwin would replicate his antics. The off-spinner, however, showed mercy towards Finch, leaving everyone in splits including Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting.

Instead of going for ‘Mankading’, Ashwin gave Finch a stare and a warning to return to the non-striker’s crease. Ahead of the on-going IPL season, Ponting even had a chat with Ashwin where they arrived on a common point that there should be some penalty for the batsman if he is found backing up. Taking to Twitter, Ashwin himself posted a hilarious tweet about the incident, mentioning that Finch is his good friend.

“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,” tweeted the experienced campaigner.

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

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) October 5, 2020