The renowned Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has provided some advice and released a lengthy statement outlining his viewpoint on the divisive ” Mankading” subject.
He emphasized that there may be a significant outcry if a circumstance arose in which a batter like Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma was engaged in a run-out situation during a vital knockout stage of a competition.
This is a fair assessment, Ashwin
“This is a reasonable evaluation of the circumstances. In the World Cup semifinal or a vital game that would determine qualification, imagine someone rushing out Kohli, Rohit, Smith, Root, or any other important batsman at the nonstrikers,” Ashwin said on X.
Hell will undoubtedly break out, there will be character assassination campaigns by certain experts who continue to disagree with it, and of course, there will be fans who are on the receiving end.
“At the moment, not all teams are doing it, but come the World Cup, I hope everyone is ready for it,” he continued. “Taking a moral high stand and saying we won’t do it, should open a strategic window for the other teams, and genuinely teams should take every single advantage coming their way because winning a World Cup is a lifetime achievement.”
In addition, he offered a solution to the issue in what he wrote, saying that “there is only one solution, whoever be the batter and whatever be the magnitude of the situation, before taking off, the batsman must observe the bowler load the ball and rotate his shoulder; if he fails to do so and is out, we should congratulate the bowler and remind the batters that they may improve.
He continued, that many present and former cricket players have criticized the dismissal method, saying that they would not desire to take out an opponent’s batsman in this way.
Marylebone Cricket Club has addressed the issue multiple times
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has addressed the matter several times, offering clarifications and amending the applicable legislation in reaction to the changing circumstances.
When he Mankaded Jos Buttler during the 2019 IPL season, Ashwin got himself into some hot water. The discussion was made more heated as a result of a string of similar instances involving numerous players.
Recently, Shadab Khan was also dismissed in a similar manner during the second One-Day International between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Hambantota when Fazalhaq Farooqi removed his bails as he attempted to pitch the ball. In the final over, Pakistan needed 11 runs, and Farooqi struck out Shadab. Since Pakistan won the game with one wicket and one ball remaining, the dismissal had no effect on their victory.
In the second ODI; the Mankad debate was back
One of the most outspoken supporters of bowlers running out the non-striker at the bowling end when the non-striker backs up too far is Ravichandran Ashwin. The off-spinner had previously used a similar technique to get rid of Jos Buttler in an Indian Premier League match, and he didn’t show any remorse for it.
The Mankad dispute resurfaced in the second One-Day International between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghanistan seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi ran out Shadab Khan at the non-striker’s end with 11 required off the last over because the batter left his crease before the bowler had finished. However, Naseem Shah’s valiant efforts ensured Pakistan’s victory by a wicket.
Fans will be left wondering if bowlers would attempt Mankad or not because of moral objections at the 2024 Cricket World Cup. Shadab’s subsequent expulsion from Pakistan has, in the meanwhile, further stoked the controversy.
