India wicketkeeper batsman Dinesh Karthik is among those who feel describing the form of run-out where the bowler dismisses the non-striker for backing up too far as 'Mankading' is being disrespectful to the country's legendary all-rounder Vinoo Mankad.
Mankad got Australia's Bill Brown run-out in the same vein during India's historic maiden tour to Australia in 1948. The incident gave birth to the term used till date by many.
In the ICC laws, however, it is described as just another run-out, something Karthik stressed on to make his point.
"There are two issues I have with this 'Mankad' run out. First is the implementation of it. Second is the name 'Mankad' run out," CricketNext quoted him as saying.
"All the way from Don Bradman to Sunil Gavaskar, everyone has said it's completely within the rules. The ICC and MCC have also taken a stand that it is okay. So I don't see the reason why bowlers or any team that does it is looked at in a negative way."
"The person who did it first time was Vinoo Mankad. Interestingly, he was alert enough to do that dismissal. But more importantly, nobody remembers the batsman who got run out. It was Bill Brown," Karthik added.
Over the years, the instances of a bowler running out the non-striker have triggered debates whether the form of dismissal fits the bill with regards to the 'Spirit of Cricket' or not.
Recently, IPL franchise Delhi Capitals' (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting said he will be having a "hard conversation" with the team's off-spin recruit Ravichandran Ashwin to not indulge in the controversial act he did previously with Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) when he ran out Rajasthan Royals' (RR) Jos Buttler at the non-striker's end in IPL
Being the first fellow Indian cricketer to publicly come out in support of Ashwin on this matter, Karthik said Ponting and many such are making the same mistake that those who coined the term 'Mankading' did.
"If Mankad was the first person who did that run out, Bill Brown was the first person who got run out for being silly and walking out of the crease. Why is it that people remember Mankad and not Brown?" he asked.
"Why can't it be called anything to do with Bill Brown? He (Mankad) followed the rules and did it. The ICC and MCC call it a run out. So the name Mankad shouldn't be used in a negative connotation."
Karthik also suggested that the TV umpire should carefully observe when the non-striker is trying to steal a run and in those instances, the run should be deemed illegal.
"If this is done just like a run out consistently, then obviously the batsmen will be even more careful and stop doing it," said Karthik.
"But because it is not encouraged and looked at in a negative way, and people are doubted morally, the bowlers, the captains and the teams are scared of doing it more for the repercussions that anything else."
"Now there is technology for checking no balls. So use the camera, check if the non-striker leaves the crease early. Every time a batsman backs up early, all runs should be disallowed. Only a wicket should stand," he added.
