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'Simply disgraceful': Cricket world erupts over IPL's first Mankad

Yahoo Sport Australia

Kings XI Punjab captain Ravi Ashwin has earned the ire of the cricketing world after using the divisive Mankad dismissal to end Jos Buttler’s big innings in the Indian Premier League.

Kings XI, defending a target of 185, looked set to lose to the Rajasthan Royals when Buttler was cruising on 69 runs from 43 balls.

But it all changed on the penultimate ball of the 13th over, when Samson was the striker.

Buttler started backing up and Ashwin, after landing for his bowling action, stopped, hesitated and knocked the bails off at the non-striker’s end.

Ravi Ashwin run out Jos Buttler with the IPL’s first Mankad dismissal. Pic: BCCI
Ravi Ashwin run out Jos Buttler with the IPL’s first Mankad dismissal. Pic: BCCI
Ravi Ashwin let Jos Buttler know he was out of crease as the crowd erupted. Pic: BCCI
Ravi Ashwin let Jos Buttler know he was out of crease as the crowd erupted. Pic: BCCI

As the umpire sent it upstairs to confirm Buttler was out of his crease, the crowd erupted at the realisation that they had just witnessed the IPL’s first Mankad.

“It’s touch and go there. I’m not a fan of it, I’m not a fan” Australian great Matthew Hayden said in commentary.

He added later: “That’s a terrible, terrible gesture.”

The play is perfectly legal under MCC laws but is rarely seen at the top level, and the reaction explains why.

Warne engaged in a slanging match with the famous Indian cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle over the dismissal.

The Australian spin great accused Bhogle of standing up for one of his own:

The skipper Ashwin’s unexpected play worked as the Royals slumped to 9-170 off their 20 overs to lose by 14 runs.

Steve Smith made his professional return but could only put 20 runs on the board before falling to Englishman Sam Curran, while Rajasthan’s last seven batsmen made no more than six runs each.

“I didn’t even load and he left the crease,” Ashwin said in defence of his actions.

“It’s always been my take on it, because it’s my half of the crease. We ended on the right side of it but those things are game-changers and batsmen need to be wary of it.”

Ashwin’s Mankad was not the first suffered by Buttler, who was run out by Sri Lanka in 2014 even after receiving warnings by the bowler and umpire.

Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane played down the fresh controversy and said his team will take it “sportingly”.

“We are not supposed to comment on a controversial issue. The match referee will take the call,” he said.

Warne wasn’t the only former cricketer to weigh in as debate raged over whether Buttler had received satisfactory warnings, as in his previous case.

England ODI captain Eoin Morgan, Michael Vaughan and Aussie Dean Jones were among those sharing their thoughts:

with AFP