Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) captain Ravichandran Ashwin has recently faced massive criticism for his “mankading” incident in the ongoing IPL season. KXIP bowling coach Ryan Harris has now revealed his view on “mankading”.
On 25th March 2019, when KXIP began their IPL 2019 journey, their captain Ravichandran Ashwin got involved in a top controversy. It was the match against the host side Rajasthan Royals (RR) where KXIP won that match by 14 runs.
After KXIP posted a total of 184/4 (20 overs), RR opener Jos Buttler while chasing provided a brilliant start for the home team. The wicketkeeper-batsman was playing dominantly in that second innings.
In the 13th over of that innings, KXIP skipper and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin “mankaded” Jos Buttler without giving him a warning. Moreover, he paused during his run-up before “mankading” Jos Buttler which many believe that it was against the spirit of cricket.
It was a very crucial wicket as Jos Buttler was dismissed on 69 runs off 43 balls. While RR was in a good position before his dismissal, the host side only managed to score 170/9 in 20 overs.
Talking about the “mankading”, Ryan Harris believes that it is batsmen’s duty not to create this kind of opportunity.
He said according to PTI, “There has been a little bit of talk about that. It is up to the captain and the bowler if he wants to do it and he (Ashwin) decided to do that. At the end of the day, the batter should stay in his crease. That is the only way it is not going to happen.”
Earlier, in 2012, during the Brisbane ODI between India and Sri Lanka, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin “mankaded” Sri Lankan cricketer Lahiru Thirimanne. However, Sachin Tendulkar and the stand-in captain Virender Sehwag soon withdrew that appeal.
I have not attempted a “Mankad”
When Ryan Harris was asked whether he would have “mankaded” Jos Buttler in the same way, he denied that. However, the former Australian pacer also added that the spinners have the easier chances to do this.
He added, “Probably not. Being a quick bowler, you don’t think of those things. It is much easier for a spinner with the approach being a lot slower. I have actually stopped a non-striker in the past, though I have not attempted a run out or Mankad.”
Like the many cricket experts, Ryan Harris also believes in giving one warning before “mankading”.
Ryan Harris said, “There are some batters who sneak off for those extra two-three metres, that is against the rule. You warn them once and if they keep doing it, then you are in your right to do it (Mankad).”
It wasn’t the first time when Jos Buttler faced the “mankading”. In 2014, during the Birmingham ODI against Sri Lanka, the English batsman faced the “mankading”. During that match, Sri Lankan off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake “mankaded” Jos Buttler after giving him a warning.