Former India skipper Rahul Dravid is the latest to give his views on the Mankad controversy involving India and Kings XI Punjab spinner R Ashwin. The Kings XI Punjab skipper has caused a stir by Mankading Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler in Jaipur on Monday. Chasing 185, Rajasthan Royals were cruising at one stage with Buttler going great guns with the bat.
The home side was comfortably placed at 108 for 1 in the 13th over before R Ashwin decided to turn the course of the game. On the penultimate delivery of the over, Ashwin stopped at the bowling crease, paused as Buttler left the crease, before turning to take the bails off. He immediately appealed for a run-out and eventually got the decision in his favour.
The dismissal completely turned the game on its head. Royals’ chase fell apart soon as they suffered an inexplicable batting collapse. Before departing, Buttler had slammed 69 off 43 balls with the help of 10 fours and two sixes. He had also added 78 runs with Ajinkya Rahane for the first wicket.
The Royals went on to finish the game on 170 for 9 despite being 108 for 1 and then 148 for 2 at one stage.
Ashwin is facing the flak for his act despite not breaking any rules. Several former players around the world, led by a furious Shane Warne — who described the dismissal as a “low act” and “disgraceful” — have slammed Ashwin for doing something which is widely considered against the spirit of the game.
Well, Dravid, known for his discipline, has now given his two cents on the widely talked-about matter. The former Rajasthan Royals captain and coach said that Ashwin had the right to take the bails off. At the same time, Dravid said that a warning would have been the better option.
“It’s within the laws of the game and that’s pretty clear. So I don’t have a problem with someone deciding to do it. Ashwin was well within his rights to do what he did.
“However, personally, I would prefer it if somebody warns someone first. That would be my personal choice, but I respect someone’s view to think differently. I might not agree with it necessarily, but I would just have to agree to disagree whether someone should run someone out without warning him,” Rahul Dravid told The Times of India.
Rahul Dravid also defended Ashwin, saying that the ‘reactions were overblown.
“I think some of the reactions were overblown. Questioning Ashwin’s character because he did that is totally wrong. He has every right to his view. You might not agree with it, but it was well within his rights to do it and that does not make him a bad person” Dravid opined.
Meanwhile, the MCC have also given their verdict on the incident, stating that Ashwin did nothing wrong by dismissing Buttler.