Ashwin's great response to Mankad following Shadab's contentious dismissal: "Imagine running out Kohli in the World Cup..."
At a recent match between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Hambantota, second One Day International, Shadab Khan was also dismissed in a similar manner after Fazalhaq Farooqi removed his bails as he attempted to deliver the ball. Shadab was struck out by Farooqi as Pakistan needed 11 runs in the final over. Pakistan won the game with one wicket and one ball remaining, therefore the dismissal didn't have a significant impact on them.Ashwin commented on the Mankad scenario on Twitter on Saturday, saying that batsmen should be careful about their positioning and observe the bowler load the ball up and twist his shoulder before rushing off for a run. "This is a reasonable appraisal of the circumstances. Imagine someone running out Kohli, Rohit, Smith, Root, or any other important batter at the non-strikers in the World Cup semifinal or a key game that will determine qualification, he wrote. Photo
"I am confident that hell will break loose, and there will be a character assassination campaign by some experts who still don't agree with it, as well as fans who are on the receiving end." There is only one solution, and that is for the batter to watch the bowler load the ball up and rotate his shoulder before taking off, and if he doesn't and gets out, we should applaud the bowler and tell the batsmen that he can do better.Arguments like "He didn't finish his action at all, he should look for it in the fifth and sixth overs" are meaningless since once the bowler loads up and prepares to bowl, he is not allowed to run the batter out because it is against the rules."At the moment, not all teams are doing it, but come the World Cup, I really hope everyone is ready for it because taking a moral high ground 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 because winning a World Cup is a lifetime achievement." Finally, is victory everything? It is everything to some and nothing to many others; we must embrace both because we are all unique. "Stay inside the crease and live in peace," he urged.With the 2023 Cricket World Cup approaching, spectators will be left wondering whether bowlers will attempt Mankad or refrain from doing so on moral grounds. Meanwhile, Shadab's recent dismissal from Pakistan has revived the topic.