Several eagle-eyed cricket fans have taken to Twitter to alert India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin that England batsman Jos Buttler continues to back up too far at the non-striker’s end, despite having been ‘mankaded’ twice in his career before.
Screenshots taken of the first T20I between England and Australia showed Buttler out of his crease before the ball had been delivered. Aaditya Narayan posted: “He probably won’t see this. But just in case you do, @ashwinravi99, this is your pre match viewing for whenever Delhi Capitals play Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.”
Buttler made a 29-ball 44 in a game England won by two runs.
He probably won't see this. But just in case you do, @ashwinravi99, this is your pre match viewing for whenever Delhi Capitals play Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. pic.twitter.com/Xu1NpAiIc8
— Aaditya Narayan (@AadityaN_28) September 5, 2020
The second and more infamous of those run outs at the non-striker’s end and was effected by Ashwin, in a 2019 IPL fixture between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals. A statement from the MCC confirmed that the dismissal was within the laws of the game, while equivocating that the incident “could have been ruled out or not out” depending on the interpretation of the rule.
But Ashwin came in for criticism nonetheless from those who felt he was in violation of the spirit of cricket. “Terrible example to set for young kids coming through,” said England captain Eoin Morgan. “In time I think Ashwin will regret that.”
The controversial mode of dismissal has once again come under the spotlight following Ashwin’s transfer to Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2020 campaign. Ricky Ponting, Delhi Capitals head coach, has made it known that he is an opponent of the move, and has suggested alternate rules that could replace the need for the ‘Mankad’.
