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‘Mankad’ took the cricketing world by storm in the Indian Premier League (IPL) last year when Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin dislodged the bails before delivering a ball, dismissing Rajasthan Royals’ swashbuckler Jos Buttler.
Many frowned on Ash for his act as it was outside the spirit of the game. On the contrary, many perceived it within the laws of the game. The law clearly states that a bowler can run a batsman out if outside the crease before the delivery.
The ‘Mankad’ debate was trending yet again due to a similar event in the ongoing U19 Cricket World Cup. In the final quarterfinal between Afghanistan and Pakistan, spinner Noor Ahmed dislodged the bails at the non-striker’s end where Pakistan’s teenage batter Muhammad Huraira was outside his crease.
Former Proteas pacer Dale Steyn took to Twitter to express his opinion on the incident by replying to the video, posted by English journalist Piers Morgan. “This sh*t’s getting outa hand,” claimed Steyn expressing his unhappiness on the recent event in the ICC tournament.
This shit’s getting outa hand.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 31, 2020
On the other hand, former Australian fast bowler turned commentator Mitchell Johnson remained vocal in his support for ‘Mankad’ and the young Afghan spinner. The Ashes-winning cricketer took to Instagram to state that the spirit of the game also involves batsman. And that it is only scrutinized in case of the bowlers.
Here’s the post
“My thoughts on this haven’t changed from last time. The spirit of the game against the bower keeps being used. Again how about the spirit of the game be put on the batsman, stay in your crease!” captioned the video post uploaded by Johnson.
“Don’t care if it’s a millimeter in it, a bowler can’t be a millimeter over the line when he bowls, so why should the batsman get an advantage? I’m glad the Mankad rule is back in place. Must be a reason why it has been reintroduced? Maybe it was because of all the batsman sneaking the advantage for that extra run or so?” added Johnson.
All in all, one has to admit that the cricketing world is split in half, coming to ‘Mankad.’ Only time will tell if the cricketing boards and the MCC would come up with laws to change this mode of dismissal.
