Ever since last night’s ‘Mankad’ dismissal of Rajasthan Royals batsman Jos Buttler at the hands of Kings XI Punjab skipper R. Ashwin, cricket fans have been debating whether the move was unsporting or fair play. The controversy received the meme treatment and some trolls even posted hateful comments on Prithi Ashwin’s social media.
Former Australian bowler and Rajasthan Royals mentor Shane Warne was very vocal about his unhappiness with the incident and called it disgraceful.
As Captain of your side – you set the standard of the way the team wants to play & what the team stands for ! Why do such a disgraceful & low act like that tonight ? You must live with yourself & FYI – it’s to late to say sorry Mr Ashwin. You will be remembered for that low act https://t.co/jGif2TOnjI
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 25, 2019
He argued that the run out at the non-striker’s end was against the spirit of cricket.
And to all the people (including ex players) saying it’s in the laws of the game, but you don’t like what he did & you wouldn’t do it – I ask you this “why wouldn’t you?” ! Simple answer – it’s disgraceful and embarrassing plus it’s against the spirit of the game !
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 25, 2019
On the other hand, journalist and cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle saw nothing wrong with how Jos Buttler was declared out.
Lots of drama on the Buttler run-out. He was livid but the law and the advisory on it is clear. The bowler is within his right to run a player out at the non-striker's end if he is out of his crease
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 25, 2019
In a detailed piece for Cricbuzz, he observed that “the law must always take precedence over everything else” and “the spirit of the game is too subjective, too difficult to define.”
I am hearing a lot of talk about spirit of the game. This law specifically came in because, taking recourse to this very "spirit of the game" batsmen were running 6 inches less to complete a run.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 25, 2019
With two experts in the field and two very contrasting opinions, what ensued was a fierce debate on whether the players should follow unwritten rules of sportsmanship. And whether these were more important than the letter of law itself. Because law 41.16 expressly states that the bowler can, in fact, execute such a dismissal.
Here are the arguments put forth by both of them. Take a look.
Harsha you are missing the point completely & I’m disappointed in you as you always push the spirit of the game – now you condone this behaviour ? Ashwin’s actions were simply disgraceful, and I hope the BCCI doesn’t condone this sort of behaviour in the #IPL ! #spiritofthegame https://t.co/BsIKDBN51X
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 25, 2019
Ah Warney, nothing to do with being Indian or otherwise. Have held this view for years, whether in a Ranji Trophy game or an U19 World Cup with the West Indies. The "spirit" of our game can be interpreted many ways but the laws we play by are always the same for everyone. Cheers.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 25, 2019
In the end, neither conceded their positions and shared their final thoughts on the matter.
Last point on the embarrassing & disgraceful act of @ashwinravi99 ! This win at all costs mentality has got to stop & the integrity of the game along with the spirit of the game must be of the most importance, as we need to set examples to the young boys & girls playing cricket !
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 25, 2019
My final point on this. Ashwin ran Buttler out. It went to the 3rd umpire who is on the ICC Elite panel. He looked at the replays & said the non-striker was out. He is the custodian of the laws & playing conditions. So irrespective of what Ashwin did, it was the umpire's decision
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 25, 2019
‘Mankading’ has always created a furore in the cricketing world owing to its unorthodox nature. Also, the rare event happened for the first time in IPL history yesterday so the debate was inevitable.