Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin has hogged the limelight ever since he “Mankaded’ Jos Buttler in a group game against the Rajasthan Royals. Following that particular incident, Ravichandran Ashwin has time and again noted that he absolutely has no regrets when it comes to Mankading opposition batsmen.
A video became viral recently where the English pacer can be seen taking a picture of Ashwin into pieces. It was definitely not done in good taste. Ashwin feels that James Anderson who is actually cussing him at this particular point in time can do the same in the near future. James Anderson was livid with Ashwin after he dismissed Jos Buttler in an unusual fashion.
“Today Jimmy Anderson might feel that whatever I did was wrong. Maybe, tomorrow he might end up doing (Mankading) it. Who knows, it is all a question of perception of right and wrong. I don’t think in this case it is necessary because it is in the law and I did,” Ravichandran Ashwin told India Today.
Even in the post-match presentation of that particular match, Ashwin defended his actions and said it was a spontaneous call. He has always been clear about Mankad and had done this earlier too. Ashwin feels that he is well within the purview of the playing conditions and it is by no means against the spirit of the game. He further added that his KXIP teammates has been with him since that dismissal as they do he doesn’t promote or does anything which is illegal.
Ravichandran Ashwin has always defended his actions
“Everybody who know me, it is very clear (to them) that I don’t do anything that is illegal. Even my team has stood behind me since then. A lot many players have come to me and said whatever I did was absolutely right,” Ashwin said.
The Mankading incident received mixed reactions from the cricketing world. While former English cricketers came hard at Ashwin, many supported Ashwin.
However what made everyone question Ashwin;s integrity was when he actually paused in his delivery stride to allow Jos Buttler to leave the popping crease. The MCC also stated that Ravichandran Ashwin had paused in his delivery stride which is not within the laws of the game. A non-striker can be run out at the bowler’s end only if they leave the popping crease before the bowlers loads his delivery stride.
Meanwhile, Ashwin further stated that the Mankading incident hasn’t affected him at all. “Not really, it hasn’t affected me one bit at all. I am very happy for the fact that they (former and current England players) are standing up for their fellow countryman. I definitely do think that my countrymen have also stood up for me. And it is only fair that your peers stand up for you,” he said.
Many questioned Ashwin for his actions as even former Indian cricketers felt that the star Indian spinner was not telling the truth. Former spinner Erapalli Prasanna stated that it was Ashwin who was at fault as he was not speaking the truth. The KXIP skipper said that it was a spontaneous move but replays showed that he had actually paused in his run-up.