'Mankad that man': Cricket world split over divisive photo
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.
Strong from Harsha Bhogle on TV just now.
"Look where Bravo is.... 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." pic.twitter.com/48G4WNhs82— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) April 19, 2021
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.
It shouldn't even be a discussion. A mankad is, by the laws, completely legal and a perfectly legitimate means of dismissal.
The spirit of cricket is but a nice fairytale for the grandkids. https://t.co/j5unIo3QLF— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) April 19, 2021
I like the Mankad tbh. I don’t see why it should be seen as against the spirit of cricket. If you take the risk and get caught, you should be out, same as every other part of batting.
— Joe Pagani (@JosephPagani) April 19, 2021
If a bowler overstep and its given a no ball and a free hit then why the rules are different for the non-striker...... this should be given a advantage to the bowling team.#IPL2021 #CSKvsRR @BCCI @IPL @ICC pic.twitter.com/cx0ysZHQNX
— Drishan Dave (@dave_drishan) April 19, 2021
Same as a guy run out or stumped by a millimeter, or a no ball by a pixel, or caught in snicks by a whiff. If everyone mankad for a month, no one would do it.
— Adam Hourigan (@adamhfoto) April 20, 2021
Yep. No problem with this. Mankad should not be frowned upon, it is a legitimate form of dismissing a batsman who is stealing ground before the bowler has bowled the ball. If you’re too stupid to not leave the crease until the bowler delivers the ball, face the consequences.
— Adrian Betts (@TheBetterAdrian) April 20, 2021
If you leave your crease..... you suffer the consequences! Long live the mankad! pic.twitter.com/0W0Lr7CHQU
— Lachie Buszard (@Lachiebuzz) April 19, 2021
Run him out. No mercy #mankad https://t.co/KWdMCPfpTv
— Ken McAlpine (@KenMcAlpine) April 19, 2021
I've always been against the mankad, but I'm changing my mind. The game needs to be a lot more balanced.
— Tim (@StPatrickMUFC) April 19, 2021
The bowler is over by a centimetre and is penalised by one run and a free hit.
The batsman is stealing a meter, yet some people consider the mankad against "the spirit of cricket".
RUN HIM OUT pic.twitter.com/cHBIRbQEMq— Sam 🏏⚽️🏈 (@sammy5456) April 19, 2021
Pin point. IGNORE every so called experts who say Mankad is against spirit of the game. https://t.co/ijMxenZI9K
— Shashank Balnad Kukkaje🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@shashank_balnad) April 19, 2021
Mankad that man https://t.co/8Nx7uzRDHw
— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) April 19, 2021
Never an excuse for a Mankad. Didn't like what Harsha said.
— Cricket Badger #IPL2021🇮🇳 (@cricket_badger) April 19, 2021
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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