While ‘Mankading’ controversy involving the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) captain Ravichandran Ashwin has received divided opinions from the cricketing fraternity. IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla claimed that all the captains leading in the tournament had decided against going the ‘Mankad’ way to dismiss opponent batsmen. The meeting also included top Indian players like MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli – captains of CSK and (RCB) – respectively.
On Tuesday, Ashwin ‘Mankaded’ Rajasthan Royals (RR) opener Jos Buttler while the hosts were on the verge of chasing down the target of 185 in 20 overs. Bowling the 13th over, the off-spinner ran out the non-striker. Who was batting on 69 off 43 balls, out as he left the crease before the bowler released the delivery.
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Buttler and the RR camp were shocked by Ashwin’s act. But since it’s an illegal dismissal in cricket, the batsman had to return to the pavilion after the fielding side appealed. The Royals faced an unbelievable fallback and conceded the game by 14 runs eventually.
The cricketing fraternity was divided over the incident with RR brand ambassador Shane Warne taking a strong dig at the KXIP captain. However, Ashwin defended himself saying his action was well within the cricketing laws.
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After the match, Shukla said that the call had been taken by the captains at a meeting with match referees to avoid such dismissals. He also informed that the meeting took place perhaps in Kolkata on the eve of one of the editions of the IPL. The two superstars of Indian cricket – Dhoni, and Kohli – were present on the occasion.
If I remember in one of the meetings of captains & match referee where I was also present as chairman it had been decided that if non striking batsman steps out bowler as a courtesy will not run him out @IPL @BCCI
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) March 25, 2019
Most probably this meeting was in Kolkata on the eve of one of the editions of ipl where Dhoni & Virat both were present @BCCI @IPL
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) March 25, 2019
Though there have been a plethora of ‘Mankading’ instances have happened in international cricket in the past, it is the first time that such an incident has happened in the IPL in 12 years. Both Ashwin and Buttler have also found themselves in instances of ‘Mankading’ earlier and on both occasions, Sri Lanka were the opponents.
