Rajasthan Royals (RR) had roped in veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin during the IPL 2022 mega-auction last month.
Ashwin, who entered into the auction with a base price of INR 2 crore, was bagged by the Royals for INR 5 crore.
The signing meant that Ashwin is now sharing the dressing room with Jos Buttler at RR in the ongoing IPL. Notably, the off-spinner had run out Buttler by affecting ‘Mankad’ during the IPL 2019 while playing for Punjab.
The incident had triggered a massive debate in the cricket fraternity as dismissing a batter using the method is still considered against the spirit of the game.
With mankading now being legitimised by the MCC, Ashwin said the act is not a question of character assassination anymore.
“When the incident happened, I think it was Jos who felt deflated about it and quite upset. Rightly so, because it's not accepted practice. It's not something that happens day in and day out. I can totally understand that. Whether it's going to be accepted or not accepted widely by different quadrants of the cricketing community is something that we'll have to wait and watch. But the pace at which the game is going, the professionals are evolving and how the players are perceiving the game, I just hope and wish that it is looked upon as a legitimate form of dismissal. But whether somebody chooses to do it, or not to do it, is entirely up to them and it's not a question of character assassination,” Ashwin told TOI in an exclusive chat.
Buttler too was part of the interview and shared his two cents on mankading.
“If the batter just holds his ground till the ball is released, then there's never any issue. I've been run out that way twice in my career. So hopefully, I've learned my lesson now. It's hard sometimes to describe the emotion. You're trying hard for your team and you're always desperate to win. Of course, it's a surprise when you get out like that. It doesn't bother me what people's opinions are about it. If you just stay in the crease, then there's never going to be a talking point,” the England batter remarked.
Even though Ashwin’s antics was well within the rules, he was subjected to widespread criticism.
“It's more than what meets the eye. Cricket is as big as the film industry. It's like people say, a religion. Sometimes we need to understand that sports professionals are putting their bodies on the line trying to play for their professional pride, team and country. So emotions are going to be at the forefront. Whether it is taken beyond the boundary line is entirely left to the perception of the player. I would think that a modern-day professional cricketer definitely knows where to draw the line. In today's world, one day you're on the same side of the boxing ring and the other day you're on the other side. As professionals, it's not even a question. I know it's a talking point and a matter of entertainment for the audience,” the seasoned spinner said.
Jos Buttler made it clear that he has moved on from the mankading incident involving him and Ashwin and looking forward to the upcoming IPL season.
“I am not someone holding grudges. I'm excited for the season ahead. I'm excited to have Ash on my team. He is someone who wants to win. And I want to play with the best players. One of the great things that the IPL has brought to cricket is lots of people mixing with each other from different countries and sharing different ideas and beliefs,” Buttler stated.
(With TOI inputs)
