Ravichandran Ashwin hits back at Alastair Cook after the former England captain accused the India star of ‘deliberately’ breaking an obscure rule in third Test

India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin rubbished former England captain Sir Alastair Cook’s suggestion that he had intentionally encroached upon the protected area of the pitch.

Ashwin claimed his 500th Test wicket on an eventful day two of the third Test for the 37-year-old, who was earlier penalised for running down the middle of the Rajkot pitch when he was batting.

Ravindra Jadeja was given India’s only and final warning for the same transgression the previous evening so when Ashwin did the same attempting a quick single, England were awarded five penalty runs.

They began their innings on five without loss but Cook, England’s all-time record Test run-scorer, thought Ashwin was attempting to gain an unfair advantage for when it was his turn to bowl.

In his punditry role for TNT Sports, Cook said: ‘Is it deliberate? Yes, it is. It’s a tactical ploy that you can disturb the middle of the wicket because Ashwin wants as much help (as possible) when he can bowl.’

Ravichandran Ashwin was deemed to have run down the middle of the pitch

Umpire Joel Wilson spoke to Ashwin as he explained his decision to award the penalty runs

Ashwin rejected such claims after England went to stumps on 207 for two in response to India’s 445, leaving Ben Stokes’ side trailing by 238 overnight.

He said: ‘They clearly warned some of our batters (on Thursday) for running on the pitch. I was aware of it, but my poor motor skills didn’t allow me to get off the pitch in time.

‘If the English media and players think it was on purpose, it wasn’t. If that’s how they want to treat it, so be it.

‘I went to (on-field umpires) Joel (Wilson) and Kumar (Dharmasena) and said ‘that’s pure poor motor skills’. If I was any better, I would have been in the Olympics. Why play cricket?’

Ashwin reached his milestone wicket against the run of play when Zak Crawley swept out of the rough and into the hands of Rajat Patidar at short fine-leg after England’s opening stand of 84 in 80 balls.

Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook claimed Ashwin ‘s move was a tactical ploy

He became just the ninth bowler and second Indian after Anil Kumble to join the 500 club.

‘I would like to dedicate my 500th wicket to my father,’ Ashwin said. ‘He has been there through thick and thin. It’s a good time to celebrate.

‘I’ll probably have dinner and then think about it – think about how far I’ve come in life.’