R Ashwin's dismissal of Jos Buttler in the last IPL through Mankading broke a big debate in the Cricketing world. Even though it is within the rules of Cricket, Players have come out and opposed the move terming it ‘not within the spirit of the game.’
Former Australia great Ricky Ponting, who is now the head coach of Delhi Capitals, recently said that he won’t allow R Ashwin to employ the controversial ‘Mankading’ dismissal during the upcoming IPL because “it’s not within the spirit of the game”.
But many former cricketers disagree with Ponting’s observation, stating that it is unfair to the bowlers. India women’s cricket team’s head coach WV Raman in a tweet stated that asking a bowler not to stump is like asking a wicketkeeper not to stump.
“Telling a bowler not to run a non-striker out if he leaves the crease earlier than he CAN, is like telling a keeper not to stump a batsman if the latter drags his foot outside the crease when he loses his balance while playing a front foot drive,” WV Raman tweeted.
Former Australia cricketer and Ponting’s teammate, Brad Hogg also felt that it was unfair to the bowlers. “Spirit of cricket simple, play within the laws of cricket. Batsman knows they're getting an advantage leaving the crease before the ball is delivered. The game has advanced, it's gone from amateur to professional. Stay in your ground till the ball is delivered,” Hogg tweeted.