Jos Buttler mankad in IPL sparks outrage, Ravi Ashwin under fire

New footage of the controversial Indian Premier League dismissal has deepened a row that has split the cricket world | WATCH

Ravi Ashwin in his delivery stride before his mankad move.

An Indian Premier League match has been marred by the mankad dismissal of England cricketer Jos Buttler by fellow international Ravi Ashwin.

Kings XI Punjab bowler Ashwin sparked the incident when he caught Rajasthan Royals batsman Buttler backing up too far at the nonstriker’s end.

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He whipped off the bails, leaving Buttler stunned.

The dismissal widely known as “mankading” is considered to be against cricket’s spirit of fair play and England’s Buttler, who scored 69 off 43 deliveries, walked dejectedly back to the pavilion after an argument with Ashwin.

What the !!! I doubt if this can be given out even by the rule book 🤔
The way I see it he was not stepping out too much!!! Batsman looks "in" when the bowler was in his release stride! Hayden said it right & the game changed there !!! Not fair even by school standards ! #Mankad pic.twitter.com/Aq2VMwVyz1

— T R B Rajaa (@TRBRajaa) March 25, 2019

The term — used when a bowler runs out a nonstriker before delivery — was coined 70 years ago when Indian all-rounder Vinoo Mankad twice ran out Bill Brown at the bowler’s end during India’s tour of Australia in 1947.

But replays that appear to show Buttler in his crease as Ashwin prepares to bowl have deepened the row, and the suggestion that the bowler was out of line in running the batsman out.

Instead of the non-striker edging down the pitch to steal an advantage, Ashwin appears to fake out Buttler midway through his delivery stride before completing the dismissal.

Jos Buttler was well inside the crease at the point of delivery. #Ashwin deliberately stopped and waited for him to move out. Shameful that an International level bowler has to resort to such cheap tactics to take wickets. #RRvKXIP #IPL2019 pic.twitter.com/xegbWXmfBV

— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) March 25, 2019

Former England captain Michael Vaughan fumed: “If Jos Buttler had been warned well that’s fine ... if he hasn’t and it’s the first time I think Ravi Ashwin is completely out of order,” he tweeted.

The dismissal did receive some support, with former Australian bowler Mitchell Johnson saying it isn’t cheating or against the spirit of the game.

However, Johnson tweeted he would give the batsman a warning first.

Former Australia Test batsman Dean Jones also said it was within the rules.

“Please everyone.. read the new Laws .. a bowler DOES NOT have to offer a warning to the batsman!”, Jones tweeted.

Cricket mankad and IPL story

Ashwin defends dismissal

Skipper Ashwin defended his action after the match — the first time a player has been “mankaded” in the IPL.

“No real argument to that. I didn’t even load and he left the crease. It’s always been my take on it, because it’s my half of the crease,” Ashwin said.

“We ended on the right side of it but those things are game-changers and batsmen need to be wary of it.”

However, Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane played down the controversy and said his team would take it “sportingly”.

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

Former Test star Shane Warne did not hold back, calling Ashwin’s move “disgraceful and embarrassing”.

“So disappointed in Ravi Ashwin as a captain and a person,” he tweeted.

“As captain of your side — you set the standard of the way the team wants to play and what the team stands for.

“Why do such a disgraceful and low act like that tonight? You must live with yourself … it’s too late to say sorry Mr Ashwin. You will be remembered for that low act.”

So disappointed in @ashwinravi99 as a Captain & as a person. All captains sign the #IPL wall & agree to play in the spirit of the game. RA had no intention of delivering the ball - so it should have been called a dead ball. Over to u BCCI - this a not a good look for the #IPL

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 25, 2019

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

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

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

Australia’s Steve Smith made a modest return to the IPL, scoring 20 for the Rajasthan Royals as they lost to Kings XI Punjab by 14 runs.

Big-hitting Chris Gayle smashed 79 off 47 deliveries to steer Kings XI to 4-184, a total they defended by restricting Royals to 9-170 in the Twenty20 tournament at Jaipur.

Smith, who along with compatriot David Warner made his return to the IPL after missing the previous edition due to a ball-tampering controversy, walked out into a charged field of play.

The former Australia captain took time to settle down before hitting England paceman Sam Curran for a four and six in one over.

Curran, who took two wickets, got his revenge in his very next over as he sent Smith trudging back to the pavilion with KL Rahul taking a sharp catch while running to his left from long-on.

Rajasthan Royals' Jos Buttler after his dismissal. Picture: AFP

Bowlers soon struck back as the Royals batting collapsed from 2-148 to 9-164 as a disappointed Smith looked on from the dugout.

On Sunday, Warner enjoyed a run-filled comeback to the world’s most popular T20 league, scoring 85 off 53 balls for Sunrisers Hyderabad, who also lost their opening match.

Bans from state and international cricket for Smith and Warner end on March 28 but the duo are keen to get among the runs in the IPL, ahead of the 50-over World Cup starting in May.

The suspension did not include club games but IPL’s governing council decided not to allow the disgraced duo in the 11th edition of the T20 league last year in a bid to avoid controversy.

The pair were banned for cheating in a Cape Town Test in March last year along with teammate Cameron Bancroft, whose nine-month ban has already finished.

AFP