R Ashwin is one of the most straight-talking and serious cricketers in the world. He doesn’t care about most people’s opinions and does what he feels is right. One of those things is running the non-strikers out if they stray out of their crease while he is delivering the ball.
The Delhi Capitals’ spinner enraged the cricketing world when he mankaded RR’s Jos Buttler in the IPL 2019 when he was captain of the Punjab franchise. Though he stuck to his guns and was correct rules-wise, when he changed teams before IPL 2020, his new coach in Delhi, Ricky Ponting categorically told his players and Ashwin in particular, not to Mankad any batsman this season because that is not how DC plays its cricket.
However, the two had a chat before the IPL 13 began and things simmered down until Delhi played RCB recently and their opener Aaron Finch wandered outside his crease a the bowling end while Ashwin was bowling. Ashwin decided not to Mankad RCB opener Aaron Finch in the second innings when they were defending 196 against Virat Kohli's team.
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Speaking about the same, Ashwin on his YouTube channel said, “I didn't give any message (with that look). I am not a big leader to give a message and all. I was about to complete my run-up and then I saw a golden helmet moving forward, like a bogey that goes off. I stopped my bowling action and I was wondering whether to Mankad or not. Even when I was thinking, he didn't return to the crease. He was looking at me. I didn't know what that meant.”
"He (Aaron Finch) is also my good friend from Kings XI Punjab. We have sat together and have passed time on many occasions. Okay, I thought I should announce this as my final warning," Ashwin said on the latest episode of his YouTube show 'Hello Dubaiah'.
The veteran off-spinner also revealed what he and DC coach Ponting chatted about in the dressing room after the match, which DC won by 59 runs.
He said, "As they say in the move Ramana (Tami film), punishment should be severe. When the non-striker's steps up out of the crease (before the ball is delivered), deduct 10 runs from the team's score, no one will stray out. To run out batsmen at the non-striker's end doesn't require a skill. But if batsmen keep going out, what other options do we have?”
"I tagged Ponting also in the tweet. We met in the evening for a get-together. He was like 'he went out too far out of the crease'. 'I thought of getting up and asking you to hit the stumps'. I asked him about why he is saying this about an Australian mate?”
"He said he has been talking to the ICC committee for a run penalty. He is trying hard to keep up his words," Ashwin said.
Here is the video:
