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'Mankad that man': Cricket world split over divisive photo

Dwayne Bravo (pictured left) leaving his crease early before Mustafizur Rahman bowls the ball in the IPL.
The debate over the 'spirit of the game' and the 'mankad' erupted in the Indian Premier League during the match between Chennai and Rajasthan after this image. (Image: Fox Sports)

The cricket community is once again debating the legitimacy of the 'mankad' dismissal following outrage over an incident in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Chennai secured a convincing 45-run victory over Rajasthan in their IPL match, but controversy erupted when respected commentator Harsha Bhogle called out the batsman at the non-striker's end.

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Super Kings' Dwayne Bravo was at the non-striker's end when Mustafizur Rahman charged in with the score at 9/188.

But a photo, shared on social media, showed Bravo nearly a metre out of his crease before Rahman had even released the ball.

The drama only heightened after the bowler was pinged for a no-ball.

Rahamn would have well been within his rights to stop and run Bravo out, before he bowled the ball, which is known as a 'mankad'.

However, many view the mankad dismissal as a tarnish on the 'spirit of the game'.

This was no more evident than when Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin used the mankad in the IPL back in 2019, which sparked uproar.

But Bhogle said it was time the dismissal became accepted until batsmen stop getting away with unfair practices.

“You cannot be there. He has stolen more than a yard there, Dwayne Bravo,” Bhogle said during commentary.

“That is why I believe you’re entirely within your rights — it should almost be mandatory in team meetings — to say, ‘Run him out’.

“All this talk about not being in the spirit of the game is so much nonsense.

“He has taken a yard!

“I never understood how it is in the spirit of the game to run less and claim the run. That is against the spirit of the game.”

Bhogle found support from former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull.

“That picture we just showed where Bravo was so far out of his crease … is a great example of why he should be run out,” Doull added.

“The bowler is minimally over, yet he gets punished (with a no-ball).”

Fans divided over mankad dismissal

The 'spirit of the game' was a huge talking point on social media with many fans agreeing Bravo's gamesmanship went too far.

But others didn't agree with the mankad dismissal under any circumstance and called for the umpire's to step in.

Despite the argument, many cricketers are against the dismissal.

Australian legend Ricky Ponting was coach of the Dehli Capitals when he told his players in no uncertain terms that he is not a fan of the mankad.

Mitchell Starc was also praised during an ODI against England last year when he opted not to dismiss Adil Rashid when he left his crease.

The issue has become increasingly divisive as cricket has heavily leaned towards a batsman's game over the last decade.

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