Bowlers running out batters at the non-striker’s end for backing up too far used to be a rare occurrence once. However, such dismissals have become quite common in recent times.

While the ICC amended its rule book in October 2022 and declared that run-outs at the bowler's end won’t be considered “unfair play” anymore, this mode of dismissal still triggers the spirit of cricket argument.

Amid the debate, England Test skipper Ben Stokes has proposed an interesting idea to keep the batters under check if they are trying to gain an unfair advantage.

Stokes’ comment after the last-ball drama between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Match 15 of the IPL 2023 season at Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday (April 10).

With one needed off the final delivery, Harshal Patel saw non-striker Ravi Bishnoi leaving his crease and tried to whip out the bails in his bowling stride but missed.

Had Harshal been able to dislodge the bails at the non-striker’s end, the game would have gone to the Super Over.

Reacting to the incident, Stokes took to Twitter and wrote: “Umpires discretion.. 6 penalty runs if obviously trying to gain unfair advantage by leaving crease early? Would stop batters doing it without all the controversy.”

As it turned out, the last-wicket pair of Avesh Khan and Bishnoi scampered for a bye to take LSG over the finishing line on the final delivery with one wicket in hand while chasing the target of 213.

 Earlier, Nicholas Pooran (62 off 19) and Marcus Stoinis (65 off 30) returned with brutal knocks to script Lucknow Super Giants’ third victory in the season.