India’s experienced spinner Ravichandran Ashwin sent English batsman Jos Buttler back to the pavilion even before he bowled a delivery. The act proved so controversial that experts are divided on the morality of Ashwin’s action.
Jos Buttler gave his IPL team the Rajasthan Royals a strong start while chasing a target of 185target set by the Kings XI Punjab when sudden brakes were slammed on his innings. Buttler was on the non-striker end backing up with Ravi Ashwin getting ready to bowl a delivery but ended up taking off the bails with the Englishman out of the crease. The controversial dismissal is known as ‘Mankading’.
The dismissal proved so controversial that former players and experts have weighed in on it with the Aussie legend Shane Warne calling it a “disgraceful” low act that’s against the spirit of the game.
“So disappointed in [R Ashwin] as a captain & a person. All captains sign the IPL wall and agree to play in the spirit of the game. [He] had no intention of delivering the ball – so should have been called a dead ball. Over to you BCCI – this is not a good look for the IPL,” he tweeted.
Many, current and former cricketers including Warne argued that Buttler should have been given a warning.
However, Indian commentator and Cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle disagrees that Ashwin should have warned Buttler.
“Nothing in the laws though about warning. Just as there is nothing in the laws about awicket keeper warning a batsman for being out of the crease and not stumping him,” Bhogle tweeted.
As did many other current and former cricketers.
Ashwin said the dismissal wasn't planned.
"My actions were within cricket's rules, can't be called unsporting," he said in the post-match press conference.
