Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has made it clear that he will not allow senior India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to employ the controversial ‘Mankading’ dismissal during the upcoming IPL because “it’s not within the spirit of the game”.
Last IPL season, Rajasthan Royals batsman Jos Buttler was run out on 69 while backing up at the non-striker’s end, with Ashwin, then captaining Kings XI Punjab, choosing to whip off the bails as the batsman stepped out of the crease before the ball was being bowled.
Ashwin, who is playing for Delhi Capitals this IPL which is starting on September 19 at the UAE, had defended his act, saying it was within the rules of the game.
But batting legend Ponting feels the controversial mode of dismissal was against the spirit of the game and it will not used by his team in the IPL.
“I’ll be having a chat with him about (Mankading), that’s the first thing I’ll do. That is going to be a hard conversation I will have with him. I think, even him, looking back now, probably he’d say it was within the rules and he’s right to do it.
“But this is not within the spirit of the game, not in the way I want, at least with the Delhi Capitals anyway,” Ponting said.