Shreyas Iyer reveals he and Ricky Ponting convinced R Ashwin to not mankad

Ashwin plays for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League which is led by Iyer and coached by Ponting.

R Ashwin after mankading Jos Buttler | BCCI

India spinner R Ashwin made headlines during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 for mankading England's Jos Buttler. It was a match between Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and Rajasthan Royals when Ashwin ran Jos Buttler out at the non-striker's end.

The cricket fraternity was divided on the matter and Ashwin had received a lot of criticism but he remained unfazed by the chatter outside. The off-spinner made it clear that he wouldn't let the non-striker go if they try to take unfair advantage.

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Delhi Capitals (DC) captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting had to convince Ashwin to not go for mankading after he joined the franchise in IPL 2020. 

While in conversation with the YouTube channel of the Grade Cricketer, interviewers Ian Higgins and Sam Perry asked Iyer about mankading. “Ricky and I were really adamant on saying that we are not going to do that (running out the non-striker). Ashwin had to go with whatever we said,” he revealed. 

Ashwin agreed to Iyer and Ponting but he had a few exceptions. “Ashwin finally said, ‘I am going to stick with whatever you guys say, until and unless the batter goes and does something very weird’,” Iyer added. 

During DC's clash with Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2020, Ashwin had warned Aaron Finch for leaving his crease before the ball was deliveried, but he didn't mankad him. Ponting was seen smiling in the dressing room when the incident happened. 

 

 
 

By - 06 Jul, 2021

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