'Hell Will Break Loose If Someone Runs Out Kohli...': R Ashwin on Mankading Debate

Ashwin attempting the run-out at non strikers end [Twitter]

The game of cricket has so many official rules, but there is one rule that has constantly pinched most of the cricketing fraternity - The run-out at the non strikers end (Mankading known previously).

Despite getting acceptance as an official way of getting someone out, it hasn't gone well with most of the people, who believe that spirit of the game is above any rule. Recently, in the second ODI between Pakistan and Afghanistan, seamer Fazalhaq Farooqi attempted the run-out at the non strikers end, and sent Pakistan's Shadab Khan back to the pavilion.

His decision sparked controversy as many experts reckoned that Farooqi shouldn't have attempted such a trick to dismiss the opposition batter. Speaking on this heated issue, India's Ravichandran Ashwin gave his viewpoints and penned down a 270-word Tweet, summing up the entire debate.

Here's what Ashwin said:

"This is a fair assessment of the situation. Imagine someone running out kohli, Rohit, Smith, Root or any crucial batter at the nonstrikers in the World Cup semi-final or a crunch game which will decide qualification. I am sure hell will break loose and there will be a character assassination campaign by some experts who still don't agree with it and of course, fans that are on the receiving end.

He added: "There is only one solution, whoever be the batter and whatever be the magnitude of the situation, the batter needs to watch the bowler load the ball up and rotate his shoulder before taking off and if he doesn't do that and gets out, we should applaud the bowler and tell the batsmen that he can do better. "He dint complete his action at all and he should look for it in the 5th 6th over arguments are lame"cos once the bowler loads up and gets ready to deliver, he can't run the batter out cos it's incorrect according to the law.

At the moment not all teams are doing it but come the World Cup, I really hope everyone is ready for it cos taking a moral high stand and saying we won't do it, should open a strategic window for the other teams and genuinely teams should take every single advantage coming their way cos winning a World Cup is a lifetime achievement. Finally, is winning everything? It's everything for some and not for many others, we need to accept both, cos we are all different. Stay inside the crease and live in peace."

Ashwin is one of the few players, who doesn't shy away from dismissing the batter at the non strikers end. Him, dismissing Jos Buttler in an IPL game a few seasons ago also sparked a debate amongst the fans and pundits.

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