Kings XI Punjab’s captain Ravichandran Ashwin has caused quite a stir recently in the match against Rajasthan Royals. He ‘mankaded’ Rajasthan Royals’ batsman Jos Buttler on Monday.
Some criticised Ashwin’s this move saying he violated the spirit of cricket while some argued that it was a legitimate decision. Legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne went so far as to call Ashwin’s act as “a disgraceful and low act”.
However, the first act of Mankad happened when India played Australia back in 1947 in Sydney during a test match. Indian bowler Vinoo Mankad ran out Bill Brown at the non-striker’s end for backing up too far.
Legendary Australian batsman Donald Bradman wrote in his autobiography ‘Farewell to Cricket’ that ‘Mankading’ was a legitimate part of cricket.
“For the life of me, I cannot understand why,” Don Bradman wrote in his book.
“The laws of cricket make it quite clear that the non-striker must keep within his ground until the ball has been delivered. If not, why is the provision there which enables the bowler to run him out?
“Mankad was an ideal type, and he was so scrupulously fair that he, first of all, warned Brown before taking any action. There was absolutely no feeling in the matter as far as we were concerned, for we considered it quite a legitimate part of the game.”
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