From Controversy To Acceptance: Ashwin On The Evolution Of 'Mankading

From Controversy To Acceptance:-

Mankading is no longer a term in cricket as the cheating tag fades away

The world of cricket is no stranger to controversy, and in 2018, Ravichandran Ashwin made headlines When he ran Jos Butler out at the bowler’s end in the IPL. But now, five years later, the "cheating tag" that was once associated with this form of dismissal has been significantly diluted, and the term "Mankading" is no longer a part of the cricketing vocabulary.

Mankading gets Ashwin's thumbs up and calls for more creative tactics in cricket

Harshal Patel recently tried to do the same thing during a match, and although he missed by a whisker, Ashwin was thrilled to see a fellow bowler attempt it. He believes that more bowlers should try running out non-strikers at their end and use every trick in the book to win a game, as long as it is within the rules. Ashwin even cited an example of how Punjab Kings would have qualified for the playoffs in 2019 if they had run out Rahul Chahar.

Ashwin supports Mankading tactic, says bowlers face more pressure in T20 cricket

Ashwin believes that the art of running out non-strikers at the bowler's end is valuable because he thinks that bowlers have to face greater challenges than batters in T20 cricket. A bowler who concedes 45 runs in four overs is often condemned for performing poorly, while a batsman who scores four runs from eight balls is typically not mentioned or criticized. 

Ashwin feels that the lens needs to shift, and he was pleased to see that the Gujarat Titans supported Yash Dayal when he was hit for five sixes in the last over.

MS Dhoni's advice helps Ashwin cope with the pressure of T20 cricket

Despite being well-versed in all formats of cricket, Ashwin believes that the challenges he faces while playing T20 cricket are particularly difficult and often overwhelming. At times, he feels like a baseball pitcher, as he craves for the extra few steps that a batter gets while batting, while a bowler doesn't.

As the target score in T20 cricket continues to increase regularly, it is not solely the responsibility of the bowler to prevent the opposition from scoring runs, but it also requires the collective effort of the entire team management to halt the run flow. According to Ashwin, staying in the moment is a small yet crucial thing, and he tries to do it, as advised by former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni.

More credit for bowlers and clever tactics can lead to T20 cricket success

In conclusion, Ashwin believes that run-outs at the bowler's end should be used more frequently and that bowlers need to be given more credit in T20 cricket. He acknowledges that it's a tough game, but with a bit of luck and some clever tactics, any team can emerge victorious.