Having won three out of their four Super 12 matches so far, Team India are likely to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinals. The Men in Blue are due to take on Zimbabwe in their last group fixture at MCG on Sunday (November 6).
On the eve of the match, veteran India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin addressed a press conference, where he was once again asked to share his views on run-out at the non-striker’s end.
A vocal supporter of non-striker’s end run-out, Ashwin reiterated that he sees nothing wrong in the practice.
WATCH – R Ashwin almost runs out David Miller at the non-striker’s end during India-SA clash
Notably, Ashwin's act of running out Rajasthan Royals' (RR) Jos Buttler for backing up too far as captain of Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in IPL 2019 had triggered a massive uproar and polarised opinions.
While many had supported him as run-out at the non-striker’s end is within the laws of the game, some cited the spirit of the game to crucify his antics.
“Honestly, I also wouldn’t like to get out like that, just because I don’t like it’s not like I can’t get out like that. So nobody likes getting out. I don’t like being nicked off bowled, run out, lbw or anyway, likewise, I also wouldn’t like to get run out at the non-striker’s end. Because it’s a form of dismissal and it’s pretty legal and I don’t see any problem with it," Ashwin told reporters on Saturday (November 5).
“There are a lot of arguments around it Like anything else in this world when something’s happened new, you’re gonna have people with contradicting thoughts. Whether you want to do it or don’t want to do it is absolutely fine," he added.
The off-spinner is happy to know that some of the players or teams aren’t willing to dismiss batters for leaving the crease early and he sees it as an advantage for himself.
“It’s good to know that they won’t do it because you can run at the last minute and you can wait. So, it’s good if people are gonna come out and say that they won’t do it, as a cricketer, I’ll use that as an advantage for myself," Ashwin said.
The 36-year-old also shared his two cents on match-ups, saying it gives a slight advantage but one shouldn’t be over-dependent on that.
“I don’t think players necessarily need to believe in match-ups, but I think it’s an area that teams and tactical things are happening around. I think it is safe to say that one end of the spectrum is to plan for all those things, but as a bowler, you need to constantly know where the Achilles heels are and work on it and try and get better. You want to add that extra tooth and skills with the bat or with the ball. I think, it is a feature that’s existing and it is definitely paying dividends, but as a playing unit to really believe in that and you know say this is what it is, this guy will bowl to this person, you can’t work like that. But I think it’s giving a tactical edge to teams," he remarked.
(Cricketnext inputs)
