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The third day of the Boxing Day Test between South Africa and India at Centurion brought forth a riveting display of cricketing skills and a touch of controversy. Amidst the intense battle between bat and ball, India’s spin maestro, Ravichandran Ashwin, added a unique and intriguing dimension to the contest by issuing a warning to Proteas all-rounder Marco Jansen for backing up too far at the non-striker’s end.
South Africa’s lead and India’s fightback
Starting the day with a lead of 11 runs at 256/5, South Africa showcased determination as Dean Elgar (185) and Marco Jansen (84) built a crucial partnership. However, India fought back with Shardul Thakur removing Elgar and Jasprit Bumrah claiming vital wickets. Despite India’s resurgence, South Africa managed to stretch their lead to 163 runs before being bowled out for 408.
The Ashwin-Jansen episode
In the midst of the South African innings, a fascinating incident unfolded when Ashwin halted his run-up in the 98th over and confronted Marco Jansen for venturing too far down the non-striker’s end. This move by Ashwin reignited the debate surrounding non-striker end runouts, a topic he has been vocal about since the infamous incident involving Jos Buttler in the 2019 IPL.
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Ashwin’s stance on non-striker end run-outs
Ashwin’s warning to Jansen aligns with his unwavering stance on non-striker end run-outs. He firmly believes that batter should not leave the non-striker’s end until the bowler releases the ball, emphasizing the importance of fair play in the game. The incident at Centurion adds to the ongoing debate within the cricketing fraternity regarding the legitimacy and sportsmanship of non-striker end runouts.
It is worth mentioning that while some players and experts support Ashwin’s position, others argue that it goes against the traditional spirit of the game. The diversity of opinions on this matter continues to make it a talking point in cricketing circles.
India’s challenge ahead
As India prepares to face the challenge of overcoming the 163-run deficit and setting a significant target, they must navigate the Centurion pitch with patience and resilience.
