Ravichandran Ashwin has once again defended one of the most talked-about moments of his career, standing firm on his controversial run-out of Jos Buttler. Years after the IPL incident sparked debate across the cricket world, the former India spinner has made it clear that he still sees nothing wrong with what he did.
Speaking on The Ravichandran Ashwin Experience on JioHotstar, Ashwin revisited the 2019 dismissal and argued that the decision was fully in line with the laws of the game. For him, the issue was never about cheating or unfair conduct, but about a batter leaving the crease too early.
“If the ICC felt this was an honesty problem, they wouldn’t keep it in the rules,” Ravichandran Ashwin said. “If you need two runs off one ball and you start running early, whose fault is it?”
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That moment, often referred to as a “Mankad,” drew sharp criticism at the time, with many calling it against the spirit of cricket. Ashwin, however, has never accepted that view. He said his intention was simple: to win the match for his side.
“People say I did it to win. Of course, I did it to win. What is there to be ashamed of?” he said. Ravichandran Ashwin also revealed that he immediately took charge of the situation inside the dressing room, telling his teammates not to worry about the backlash. “Don’t worry about the reaction, I will handle the media, we just have to win,” he recalled saying. “And we won.”
For Ravichandran Ashwin, the real debate is not about character but about perception. He believes bowlers hesitate to attempt such dismissals because they fear public criticism, not because the law is unclear. In his view, the umpire should decide whether a batter is out, while the bowler should simply act within the rules.
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He was also blunt in pushing back against those who questioned his integrity. “I didn’t steal, I didn’t do anything wrong, I played within the laws,” he said. “What they are doing is character assassination. I am very proud of it.”
