• Ashwin runs out Buttler

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    Kings XI Punjab captain Ravi Ashwin executed an unexpected run-out of Rajasthan Royals opener Jos Buttler that features as Monday’s controversial Play of the Day, writes ANITHA MADIKIZELA.

    The ‘Mankad’ style run-out of Buttler (69 runs off 43 balls, 10×4, 2×6) by Ashwin (1-20) was a game-changing moment during their Indian Premier League encounter, and has sparked a heated debate among cricket connoisseurs across the world.

    READ MORE: Kings XI Punjab win after Buttler ‘Mankad’

    Buttler was looking good to take the Royals over the line against Kings XI, but the opener was thwarted by Ashwin, who controversially ran him out at the non-striker’s end after abandoning his run-up while Buttler was strolling out of his crease.

    The play was referred to TV umpire Bruce Oxenford, who promptly adjudged it out according to the laws and playing conditions of both the ICC and the IPL. The incident has sparked massive discussion between fans, pundits and ex-players alike, debating whether the dismissal adheres to ‘the spirit of the game’ or not.

    Plenty of heated arguments have emerged on social media with both sides making a case for their respective views.

    Ashwin has also shared his views on the discussion. He explained himself during the post-match presentation stating, ‘Look, it was very instinctive. On my part, it was very instinctive. It was not planned or anything like that. It’s there within the rules of the game. I don’t understand where the spirit of the game comes, naturally, if it’s there in the rules it’s there.’

    Personally, I’m leaning on Ashwin’s side with this one. The mode of dismissal was introduced to stop batters from wandering out of their crease, and Jos Buttler went on a stroll. No ‘spirit of the game’ questions came up when it became a norm for a ball that shaves leg stump around a batters legs became universally recognised as a wide delivery.

    I argue that in a game that has systematically become a batters’ paradise, surely bowlers should be allowed to come up with creative ways to get the upper hand, provided that it’s within the rules? I’m personally shocked we haven’t seen more of these dismissals in the past, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it became more common.

    At the end of the day, just like it’s a bowlers responsibility to have something behind the line when they deliver the ball, it is also the batter’s responsibility to have something behind the line when a bowler runs in… if he doesn’t, then STICK THEM UMP!

    Kings XI eventually bagged a 14-run win as the Royals’ innings lost all of its momentum in a calamitous finish that saw the home side lose seven wickets for just 14 runs.

    READ ALSO: Swapping ODI failure for T20I success

    The Royals will want to put the incident behind them when they take on Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday, while Ashwin will hope the controversy will have blown over by the time his Kings XI side take on the ominous Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday at Eden Gardens.

    Scorecard

    Photo: ICC/Twitter

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    Anitha Madikizela