New Delhi: Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin opened up on the infamous Mankading incident involving him and England batter Jos Buttler from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019. While Ashwin still believes that what he did back then was right, he also understands the 'emotions' Buttler went through.
A massive controversy had erupted in IPL 2019 when Ashwin mankaded Buttler during Punjab vs Rajasthan IPL match. The incident had given birth to a new rivalry. Years later, Rajasthan Royals acquiring the seasoned spinner in IPL 2022 mega auction became one of the most talked-about bids this year as Ashwin joined Buttler in Rajasthan Royals.
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In an exclusive interview with Times Of India (TOI), Ashwin admitted that Jos Buttler was quite upset and deflated about the incident.
“When the incident happened, I think it was Jos who felt deflated about it and quite upset. Rightly so, because it's not accepted practice. It's not something that happens day in and day out. I can totally understand that.”
Jos Buttler's reaction on the 'Mankad Saga'
"If the batter just holds his ground till the ball is released, then there's never any issue. I've been run out that way twice in my career. So hopefully, I've learned my lesson now. It's hard sometimes to describe the emotion. You're trying hard for your team and you're always desperate to win. Of course, it's a surprise when you get out like that. It doesn't bother me what people's opinions are about it. If you just stay in the crease, then there's never going to be a talking point," Buttler said while admitting he was at fault.
R Ashwin hopes and wishes that Mankading is looked upon as a legitimate form of dismissal.
“Whether it's going to be accepted or not accepted widely by different quadrants of the cricketing community is something that we'll have to wait and watch. But the pace at which the game is going, the professionals are evolving and how the players are perceiving the game, I just hope and wish that it is looked upon as a legitimate form of dismissal. But whether somebody chooses to do it, or not to do it, is entirely up to them and it's not a question of character assassination."