During the fourth match of the ongoing season of the cash-rich, Indian Premier League (IPL) between the northern rivals Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, the KXIP opener, Chris Gayle registered his 25th IPL half-century as he amassed 79 runs off just 47 balls.
After winning the toss, the RR skipper, Ajinkya Rahane decided to bowl first and his bowlers responded well as Dhawan Kulkarni dismissed KXIP opener, KL Rahul in the first over itself leaving with Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle at the crease. During the toss, the KXIP skipper, R Ashwin revealed foreign players in the squad as Gayle, Mujeeb Zadran, Sam Curran and Nicholas Pooran. ng. On the other hand, RR decided to go with Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Steve Smith, and Jofra Archer.
ALSO READ: Twitterati Goes Berserk After Chris Gayle’s Knock
Despite the rough start, Mayank and Gayle stabilized the innings as they amassed 56 runs for the second wicket. Gayle took his time before letting loose. The same was evident from the fact that KXIP had managed just 32 runs in the first six overs. But Gayle storm and some good batting from Sarfraz Khan (46) helped the Kings to reach the total of 184/4 in their quota of 20 overs.
During the chase, the RR openers, Rahane and Jos Buttler punished the visiting bowlers badly as they were 64/0 after the powerplay was over. But, Ashwin broke the partnership of 78 runs in the 9th over. He also dismissed Buttler in the 13th over in one of the more bizarre way possible as he Mankaded Buttler on the penultimate delivery of the over.
WATCH – Dhawal Kulkarni Takes A Mind-boggling Catch At The Boundary
Soon after Mankading Buttler, Ashwin appealed which left the batsman furious. Replays confirm Buttler was well outside his crease. In the replays, it was also could’ve been seen that Ashwin almost waited for Buttler to go out of the crease and then he dislodged the bails.
Here is the video of the dismissal:
Ashwin's mankading…!!https://t.co/YIWpS1B0Vb
— Vidshots (@Vidshots1) March 25, 2019
Here’s how Twitterati reacted to the dismissal, calling Ashwin’s act as ‘unfair’:
How’s playing within the laws of the game ‘unfair’?? #RRvKXIP #IPL #Ashwin
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 25, 2019
I have to agree with @Eoin16 when he says this was a very bad example for youngsters. Ashwin if he hasn’t warned Butler may end up regretting the decision.
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 25, 2019
It’s within the laws of the game but Jos Butler should have been warned by Ashwin before that. Very Surprised ! Remember Ashwin doing the same in an international game where Sehwag withdrew the appeal.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 25, 2019
It’s LITERALLY in the LAWS OF CRICKET. No warning needed. Anyone who says “there should be a warning” is a batsman. Out is out. There’s absolutely NO difference from being out stumped. In fact, you know what? Call it a stumping.
JC Buttler st & b Ashwin 69.#IPL2019 #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/USKhdvtsGz— Iceland Cricket (@icelandcricket) March 25, 2019
There are rules. And cameras. Now stop spamming my mentions and do it on Ashwin’s timeline. Also, Awwwwww Ankit . 💖
— Prithi Ashwin (@prithinarayanan) March 25, 2019
Okay. Seen the replays.
I am taking Butler's side here.
He was definitely not trying to take an unfair advantage there.Not good from Ashwin. #RRvKXIP
— SwingAndSeam (@swing_seam) March 25, 2019
No No No Ashwin,that’s just not in the spirit of the game🙈#KKRvRR
— Cameron Delport (@Cam12Delport) March 25, 2019
Excuse me? Hello? What sportsmanship? Ashwin didn't cross any lines there. The only one crossing the line there was Buttler and that too "unfairly", breaking the law of the game.
— Abhishek (@Sajjanlaunda) March 25, 2019
If cricket, or cricketers, have such an issue with Mankading, then their recourse would be to push for it being removed from the laws of the game. As long as it stays, surely can’t blame any bowler for practising it. #RRvKXIP #Ashwin #Buttler
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) March 25, 2019
I'm all for a Mankad.
But what Ashwin did to Buttler was deception, not in the spirit of the game.#IPL— Radio Cricket (@RadioCricket) March 25, 2019
Buttler done absolutely nothing wrong, absolutely disgraceful from Ashwin #IPL #Ashwin #Buttler pic.twitter.com/MI0xZM0jqm
— Will Thomson (@w_tommo13) March 25, 2019
Buttler to Ashwin – 😬😂#IPL2019 #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/CVpCCO604Y
— Prince 🇮🇳ᴰᵉˡʰᶦ ᶜᵃᵖᶦᵗᵃˡˢ (@iPrince55) March 25, 2019
worst runout of IPL 2019. Ashwin needs to respect spirit of games #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/tO9bTx9pPJ
— prayag sonar (@prayag_sonar) March 25, 2019
This is not the 1st time Butler has been mankad. Senanayake did it to him in 2014. SL I believe stated after they observed him doing it in previous ODIs. Think Ashwin has probably been analysing a few tapes. #RRvKXIP
— Gav Joshi (@Gampa_cricket) March 25, 2019
Revenge of #Lagaan taken by Ashwin!! 😂 #RRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/jb2rdqYRKz
— Prateek Agarwal (@DDevilprat) March 25, 2019
Yes ashwin's good dismissal.
Why to give warning ⚠. It's good wicket @StarSportsIndia #AskStar #askstar pic.twitter.com/HgiMjWE4ha— PAvAN (@PAvAN57784083) March 25, 2019
