Chennai: Rajasthan Royals were defeated in their home ground by the visiting Kings XI Punjab, led by Ravichandran Ashwin, but the game was shrouded with controversy involving Ashwin and Jos Buttler as the latter was mankaded by the former.
Chasing a total of 185, opening the innings alongside the RR skipper Ajinkya Rahane, Buttler was in his best as he scored 69 runs off 43 balls and was primed to take the team home. However, with 77 more runs still needed for victory, during the 13th over, he was dismissed by the Tamilnadu player when he was about to bowl to Sanju Samson as he dislodged the bails in the non-striker’s end and caught Buttler short of the crease.
The incident immediately heated up the proceedings in the middle with Aswin and Buttler involved in a war of words. The umpires referred it to the third umpire, whose decision was out, making Buttler the first person to be dismissed in the fashion in IPL history. With Buttler walking off disappointed, the other batsmen struggled in the chase and eventually, KXIP won the match by 14 runs.
Ashwin did what was within the rule of the game, however, the cricket fraternity was divided over the issue with some former players and fans supporting Ashwin while others continue to throw brickbats on him.
“I can’t believe what I’m seeing, Terrible example to set for young kids coming through. In time I think Ashwin will regret that,” wrote England skipper Eoin Morgan.
Rajasthan Royals ambassador, Shane Warne said, “So disappointed in Ashwin as a Captain and as a person. All captains sign the IPL wall and agree to play in the spirit of the game. Ashwin had no intention of delivering the ball – so it should have been called a dead ball. Over to u BCCI – this a not a good look for the IPL.”
Harsha Bhogle, the popular commentator is of the opinion that Ashwin is entitled to do so. “Lots of drama on the Buttler run-out. He was livid but the law and the advisory on it is clear. The bowler is within his right to run a player out at the non-striker’s end if he is out of his crease,” he wrote.
Dean Jones, the former Australian cricketer said “Don’t blame Ashwin here. As it’s allowed in the Laws of the game.. how is it disrespectful or against the spirit of the game if it’s allowed within the Laws of game? Blame the administrators for making the Law.”
What the law states
If the non-striker is out of his ground from the moment the ball comes into play, to the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the bowler is permitted to attempt to run him out
Why the name Mankading?
It was the former Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad, who during India’s tour of Australia in 1947, dismissed Bill Brown, twice by removing the bails when he was outside the crease.
The mode of dismissal was then given the name Mankad-ing by the Australian Press.