Twitter screenshot | IPL 2020.
Delhi Capitals spinner Ashwin had a chance to beat ‘Mankad’ RCB hitter Aaron Finch during the IPL clash on Monday night, but decided to do the opposite, much to the amusement of the fans.
- News18.com
- Last update: October 6, 2020 8:56 AM M. IST
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Ravichandran Ashwin and ‘Mankading’ go hand in hand. On Monday, however, it was a different story when the Delhi Capitals roulette wheel came out to launch the third inning of the Royal Challengers Bangalore as they chased a steep goal of 197.
Delivering the fourth ball of the over, Ashwin saw RCB’s Aaron Finch backing up too far at the non-front end. The spinner paused in its delivery step and stood there, warning Finch not to leave his fold.
The moment instantly reminded cricket fans of last year’s mankad incident involving Ashwin and it turned out to be quite controversial in the cricket fraternity.
During the 2019 IPL season, then-KXIP’s Ashwin did not spare Rajasthan Royals hitter Jos Buttler when he saw him shed his fold and dislodge the bails on the non-forward end.
Buttler was stumped and angry. The field referee went upstairs and the “Out” signal flashed on the big screen. Buttler came back for 69.
The vision of Ashwin doing a ‘Mankad’ on the field did not sit well with cricketers and fans who called him “unprofessional”, “ugly” and against the spirit of the game. They came out in numbers on Twitter expressing their disgust at the single layoff.
Read also: IPL 2020: Kagiso Rabada takes four as Delhi capitals beat Royal Challengers Bangalore, taking first place
However, seeing Ashwin exclude himself from Mankad during Monday’s clash left fans stunned. While many imagined Buttler’s reaction, many were amused to learn why Ashwin let Finch go.
Ravi Ashwin gave Aaron Finch a warning for Mankading. Finch was out of line, but Ashwin didn’t attempt the Mankading. pic.twitter.com/yI6CQHYl9r
– Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 5, 2020
Ravi Ashwin wanted to mankad Aaron Finch, but perhaps he didn’t because of Ricky Ponting’s statement that Delhi Capitals does not support Mankading. pic.twitter.com/015wU98hcS
– Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 5, 2020
What is ‘Mankading’ anyway?
Indian starter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler Vinoo Mankad generated controversy in 1947-48 during the Australia tour of India when he stopped during his delivery pass and broke the wicket at the non-front end to fire Bill Brown during the second test.
The incident caused quite a stir in the Australian media and ‘Mankad’ or ‘Mankading’ emerged. Although the method does not violate the laws of cricket, it is still considered by many to be unsportsmanlike.
Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals emerged clinical in their performance against Virat Kohli’s RCB, beating them comprehensively by 59 runs.
First at bat, Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis (53) and Prithvi Shaw (42) drove the Delhi Capitals to 196-for-four in their 20 overs.
Kagiso Rabada came back with an excellent 4/24 bowling spell, including Kohli’s wicket that helped DC seal a comfortable victory on Monday.
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