R Ashwin had warned opposition batsmen in the lead up to Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, saying he would Mankad whenever a non-striker strays out of the crease when responding to a fans’ question. But when he had an opportunity to Mankad for the first time in the new season, he decided against it. Ashwin let go of an opportunity to run Aaron Finch out after the Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman backed up too far during their match in Dubai on Monday.
R Ashwin gave Aaron Finch a warning as the Australia opener was riding his luck before being bowled by Axar Patel 13. Ashwin’s decision not to Mankad helped raise quite a few eyebrows as he has maintained his stand despite facing criticism for Mankading Jos Buttler while he was captain Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2020.
However, the decision seems to have been influenced by his chat with Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting who had said before the new season that none of the Delhi players would Mankad and that he would have a chat with the off-spinner who created a stir by Mankading Buttler.
Ponting had agreed with Ashwin that a batsman is cheating if he tries to take undue advantage by backing up too much before the ball is delivered. However, the Delhi Capitals coach said he would want Ashwin to warn a batsman before Mankading which the off-spinner exactly did on Monday.
Notably, Ricky Ponting sported a smile as he was captured on camera after Ashwin gave Finch the warning in Dubai.
Run-out opportunity missed. #Finch #Ashwin #IPL2020
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 5, 2020
Only thing Ashwin did wrong there was not running him out.
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) October 5, 2020
Cricket Twitter after Ashwin chose not to mankad: pic.twitter.com/ueo1WhTMkE
— Manya (@CSKian716) October 5, 2020
Cricket images that precede legendary events. #Ashwin #RCBvDC #Dream11IPL #IPL2020 #YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/wHKlZc45Yx
— Delhi Capitals (Tweeting from ????) (@DelhiCapitals) October 5, 2020
Reaction from Ponting after Ashwin giving the Mankad Warning to Finch. pic.twitter.com/gYSym6PPo0
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 5, 2020
WHY NOT ASHWIN WHY NOT????? pic.twitter.com/drTYUpvkBm
— Mon (@monicas004) October 5, 2020
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. ?????
Thank you Newton, Ponting and Ashwin!#RCBvsDC #RCBvDC #IPL2020 pic.twitter.com/CrlVNkGqOn
— Nikhil ?? (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 5, 2020
Ponting, in an interview to cricket.com.au, said after a ‘good chat’ with Ashwin in UAE, he has understood the psyche of the experienced spinner.
“He (Ashwin) made me get on a podcast with him when I first arrived here to have a good open chat about it. I think we’re both on the same page. He feels he did everything in the rules and laws of the game and he’s absolutely right.
“He’s saying, ‘What if it’s the last ball of the IPL, what if I’m bowling and the batting teams needs two runs to win and the non-striker is charging halfway down the wicket? What do you expect me to do’?”
Ponting though said he would still expect Ashwin to warn the batsmen first if they are leaving their crease before the ball being delivered.