NEW DELHI – Spin legend Shane Warne led criticism of India’s RavichandranAshwin on Tuesday after a controversial run-out which put cricket’s unloved‘Mankad’ dismissal in the spotlight.
Warne was among a number of leading figures to fault the Kings XI Punjabcaptain who, coming into bowl in the Indian Premier League, checked his runas Rajasthan Royals batsman Jos Buttler left his crease, and whipped offhis bails.
The rarely used dismissal is within the laws of the game but critics say itis unsportsmanlike and not in the spirit of the deeply traditional sport.
Warne, a member of the MCC World Cricket Committee, called for India’scricket board the BCCI to take action against Ashwin, who was unrepentantabout the incident after Punjab’s 14-run win.
“As captain of your side you set the standard… Why do such a disgracefuland low act like that tonight?” tweeted the Australian.
“You must live with yourself and FYI — it’s too late to say sorry MrAshwin. You will be remembered for that low act.”
England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan tweeted, “I can’t believe whatI’m seeing!!” as comments about the incident flooded social media.
“Terrible example to set for young kids coming through. In time I thinkAshwin will regret that,” posted Morgan, adding that he was “sodisappointed in (Ashwin) as a captain and as a person”.
Buttler, who had scored 69 off 43 deliveries in Jaipur, exchanged heatedwords with the Indian spinner before trudging off dejectedly.
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“No real argument to that,” Ashwin told reporters later. “I didn’t evenload and he left the crease. It’s always been my take on it, because it’smy half of the crease.”
It is not the first ‘Mankad’ for England’s Buttler, who was stumped at thenon-striker’s end by Sri Lanka’s Sachithra Senanayake in a one-day match in2014.
The dismissal is named after Indian all-rounder Vinoo Mankad, who twice ranout Bill Brown at the bowler’s end during India’s tour of Australia in 1947.
Replays of Monday’s game suggested Buttler was still in his crease at themoment Ashwin would have been expected to release the ball, and thereforeshould not have been given out.
Fraser Stewart, laws manager for the MCC which governs the rules ofcricket, said it would take super-imposed footage of earlier deliveries topinpoint when Ashwin would normally have released the ball.
“Irrespective of what Ashwin did, it was the umpire’s decision,” tweetedIndian commentator Harsha Bhogle — who was accused of bias by Warne.
The Australian tweeted: “If (England’s) Ben Stokes did what Ashwin did to(India captain Virat Kohli) it would be ok?” – APP/AFP
