Long-standing controversy of Mankading, the law that is against the spirit of cricket

Mankading has come to the limelight yet again with Ashwin warning Aaron Finch in the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League 2020 at Dubai on Monday. Ashwin had refrained from mankading after the DC's coach Ricky Ponting had asked him not to practice it.

Mankading is a term used to describe run out of a batsmen in the non striker's end of the crease. Although it is legal by the laws of cricket, it is frowned upon.

The law says,

'Law 41.16: Non-striker leaving his/her ground early

If the non-striker is out of his/her ground from the moment the ball comes into play to the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the bowler is permitted to attempt to run him/her out. Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one in the over.

If the bowler fails in an attempt to run out the non-striker, the umpire shall call and signal Dead ball as soon as possible.'

The bowler usually warns the non-striker batsman by waving the ball near the bails indicating that the next time he would be run out.

The run out came to be famouly known as Mankad after the legendary Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad mankaded Billy Brown during India's 1947-48 tour to Australia. It was criticised by the Australian cricketing committee and his name stuck with it.

This controversy stirred up again when Ravichandran Ashwin mankaded Jos Buttler during IPL 2019 in the match by Ashwin led Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals which the Punjab won.

This was not first time that Ashwin had tried his hand on Mankading. During the clash between India and Sri Lanka, Ashwin tried mankading Lahiru Thirimanne in 2012 but Virendra Sehwag who was captaining in place of MS Dhoni withdrew his appeal and Thirimanne remained not out.

In 1992, December 2 Kapil Dev, who during the friendship series against South Africa mankaded Peter Kirsten in the Rainbow nation which was also received criticism.

Although, most of the cricketing fraternity have felt that mankading was not in the spirit of cricket, Dean Jones and Mitchell Johnson supported Ashwin and Don Bradman had supported Kapil Dev back then. Their argument stated that it cannot be against the spirit of the game if its in the laws.