The Mankading Debate: Players weigh in on cricket’s most controversial dismissal
Ever since Ricky Ponting announced he’d have a ‘hard conversation’ with Ravichandran Ashwin on Mankading, the cricketing fraternity has exploded. Ponting is the head coach of Delhi Capitals and IPL 2020 will be Ashwin’s first season under him.
What is Mankading?
Named after former India cricketer Vinoo Mankad, ‘Mankading’ is the unofficial term for running a batsman out at the non-striker’s end when he/she tries to leave the crease early before the ball is bowled. Mankad became one of the earliest bowlers to run a non-striker out during India’s 1947 tour of Australia. Batsman Bill Brown had left the crease before Mankad delivered the ball, resulting in what is technically called a ‘run-out’. Mankad’s actions earned him a lot of flak from the international media but it was the legendary Don Bradman who defended the Indian cricketer.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), in its rulebook, states that a “bowler is permitted to attempt a run out” when the non-striker leaves his/her ground early.
The 41.16 Law: Non-striker leaving his/her ground early
“If the non-striker is out of his/her 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/her out. Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one in the over. If the bowler fails in an attempt to run out the non-striker, the umpire shall call and signal Dead ball as soon as possible.”
The rule was further amended in 2017 to give the bowlers more freedom to run the batsmen out.
“… the Law emphasises the importance of the non-striker remaining in his/her ground until the ball is released, which is felt to be important. With TV now potentially ruling that a batsman has made his/her ground by millimetres, it seems wrong to allow them a head-start of sometimes several feet in setting off. So, the policy in the Law has not been changed but rather the outcome is being more strongly emphasised to avoid confusion.,” an explainer on “slight change” to Law 41.16 reads.
The Ashwin-Buttler Saga
In the 2019 season, in a match between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals, KXIP captain Ashwin ran Jos Buttler out at the non-striker’s end off his own bowling. Buttler was trying to gain an unfair advantage by leaving the crease before the ball was bowled. While Ashwin’s action was a legitimate dismissal, many thought it was against the ‘spirit of cricket’ – a term used way too loosely by armchair critics to suit their narrative. It was, however, the first instance of ‘Mankading’ in the history of the IPL.
Read: Mankading dismissal in Under-19 World Cup sparks huge debate
That incident sparked endless debates throughout the tournament, with some former England players criticising the Indian for his act. While the others were of the opinion that batsmen should stay inside the crease until the ball is delivered.
More than a year later, Ponting’s statement ahead of the 13th IPL season has brought back all those memories. Cricket fans on social media aren’t too pleased with Ponting, who wasn’t particularly known for playing by the rules in his heyday. Players, experts and fans have once again come out with their own opinions.
What they said
Kolkata Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik didn’t shy away from speaking his mind on the heated issue.
A lot of people have polarising opinions on this,this is just my 2 cents on this issue.Would like a few cricket nerds to give their thoughts on this too ?@bhogleharsha @rohangava9 @ashwinravi99 @cricketaakash @sanjaymanjrekar @Bazmccullum @VenkyMysore @s_badrinath @RK_sports https://t.co/P6QueIUnOZ
— DK (@DineshKarthik) August 24, 2020
Rightly so, Karthik pointed the subjectivity surrounding the ‘spirit of cricket’ and said that the rules need to be watertight. A bowler should be allowed to Mankad any batsman trying to gain an unfair advantage, without being criticised for it. The wicketkeeper-batsman also raised a question mark on batsmen backing up unfairly. As the skipper of KKR, Karthik added that he wouldn’t allow any of his bowlers to Mankad a batsman. However, if any other bowler goes that route, he is simply well within the rules and should not be criticised.
Reactions…
Former CSK player S Badrinath was one of the first to come out in support of Karthik.
Firstly I agree with @DineshKarthik , it’s just a run out and it’s with in the rules anybody talking about spirit/morality are welcome, what do they say about opinions again ..? Everyone has one ☝? …
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) August 24, 2020
Rohan Gavaskar also chipped in…
I think ‘ spirit of the game ‘ is so vague . Is it in the spirit of the game to not walk when one knows he/she is out or to appeal to dismiss a batter when one knows he/ she is not out ? It’s not – yet that is accepted and practiced by nearly everybody .
— Rohan Gavaskar (@rohangava9) August 24, 2020
Finally, it was Ashwin himself who suggested an alternative to help the bowlers’ cause:
Make it a free ball for the bowler. If the batsmen gets out of that ball, the batting team will be docked 5 runs. Free hit adds to the drama for a batter, let’s give a chance to the bowlers too. As of now everyone watches the game hoping that ‘the bowlers will get smacked today’ https://t.co/BxX8IsMgvF
— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) August 24, 2020
