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 years.
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, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has urged the naysayers to follow the rule book and stop creating a huge fuss about the matter.
Known for his straightforward approach and candid opinions, Shastri mentioned that there is nothing wrong in not warning the batters if they're 'cheating' and giving themselves an advantage by leaving the crease early.
"In this day and age, forget spirit. I believe in rules. You Mankaded a guy; it is the rules. There's a rule book. Observe the damn rules. We'll talk about this spirit later. A guy running two steps ahead. Oh, that's fair. You should warn me. For what?" Shastri told Ashwin on his YouTube show 'Kutti Stories by Ash'.
He added, "The rule says you're cheating. I hate warning. I would tip the bails off straightaway. On your bike. Rule book, page 33. Don't crib. It's there. Don't whinge and moan after the bloody event. It's there. It's for everyone to read. It's for both teams, so why are you making a noise about it?"
Ravi Shastri admitted that he likes a bit of noise in the middle, suggesting that it brings the best out of players.
"Leave what's happened on the field. Off the field, you've got to be man enough to walk up to the person. Even if he's smashed you, say well done. Even if he's given you a nice little spiel in the proper way, say that's fair enough, part and parcel. I would hate a game where nothing is said. I like the noise. I really like the noise and it's gamesmanship. It could be aggression. With me, it helped my language. My vocabulary improved when I got that stuff coming my way. And at a very young age, I know, if you got it, give it back," he remarked.
