Ricky Ponting wants run penalties to be introduced for the batting team if a non-striker is caught backing up, but doesn’t agree with the Mankad mode of dismissal.

The Delhi Capitals coach was in conversation with R Ashwin on the latter’s YouTube channel, discussing the differences the duo have had over Mankading. Ponting had previously warned the off-spinner against using the Mankad in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League.

Though the Capitals coach agreed that backing up before a delivery is bowled is “basically cheating”, he refused to agree with Mankading.

“I totally get where you are coming from and that’s exactly what I said,” Ponting said. “I wasn’t trying to say that you were justified because actually in the course of the game, you can’t do it. So if a batsman is cheating and trying to pinch a couple of yards, then, honestly, we’ve got to try and find a way to stop the batsman cheating. We’ve had this conversation already, I don’t want to see anyone running two or three yards down the wicket. That basically is cheating.

“I think there should be some sort of run penalty [if non-striker backs up]. If you are to get at the top of your bowling action and stop, and it shows that the batsman is cheating, he’s out of his crease, I think put a run penalty on him and do it right from the start. Because that will stop him straightaway. Taking 10 runs off the team total, because you’ve taken a yard out of your crease, those sort of things need to be looked at.”

Ashwin further revealed details of the discussion between the two following Ponting’s warning that the off-spinner shouldn’t Mankad opposition batsmen.

“I asked him why he said what he did,” Ashwin said. “He replied: ‘We all were in lockdown and Australians are always honest, speak what they feel and it’s up to the listeners to weigh what they’ve heard. In Australia culture, we may speak our minds but we also agree with others’ point of views. That’s why I said that on the podcast. Such incidents should be preempted’. Because he feels even if a batsman has played well, he shouldn’t get out at the non-striker’s end. Though he’s up against me, he’s still a batsman. So I agreed, such dismissals shouldn’t happen.

“But should they walk? Many batsmen say that they’re just walking, not trying to steal a run, and just moving an inch, not two feet. I said if batsmen ask for all of this, then can’t I also just take an inch beyond the crease while bowling? The likes of Shaun Tait and Jofra Archer, who bowl 150+, if they go beyond the crease a bit, they can hit 160. Should they be allowed? Will batsmen cop those bowlers? That was my question.

“He said he agreed with me, that he too was in that committee and upheld that rule, but felt that non-strikers shouldn’t be dismissed, but also not leave the crease. That’s true. Last year when I was Kings XI Punjab captain, Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting told me that none of them would leave the crease and neither should we, to avoid such a situation. That’s the truth.”

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Delhi Capitals Ravichandran AshwinIndian Premier LeagueGlobal T20 LeaguesRicky Ponting