While many Pakistanis are not able to watch the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 due to a ban imposed by the government, the cash-rich league has been a talking point on social media following last night’s match.
The debate started following a controversial dismissal of Jos Buttler, who plays for Rajasthan Royals, by Kings XI Punjab captain Ravichandran Ashwin. The bowler mankaded Buttler when he was batting at 69 and left the popping crease.
While the act may have won KXIP the match, it has sparked a huge debate on whether it is in the spirit of the game or not. It is permitted by law to dismiss a batsman if he leaves the crease.
Without any further ado, here’s what happened.
Jos Buttler departs after controversial run out from R Ashwin #IPL2019 #JosButler #josbutlerout #Aswhin pic.twitter.com/Q1oMOXHxWP
— excupdates (@excupdate) March 26, 2019
Here’s what the Twitterati are saying on the controversy.
Here’s a side by side comparison of his normal delivery versus the mankad.
https://twitter.com/PMtyrion/status/1110417306759290880
The footage clearly shows the bowler never intended to bowl and he just mimicked his action just to run him out. If this isn’t cheating, we don’t know what is.
Oh, the wrong guy.
I have been getting messages and tags and mentions from upset Indian cricket fans all morning – some angry, some supportive – because they have mistaken me for English cricketer Jos Buttler, it's been quite a day for me on twitter dot com https://t.co/ikEO8w8lmP
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) March 26, 2019
You better stay behind the line.
Gotta stay behind the line when Ashwin is bowling#RRvKXIP #IPL2019 pic.twitter.com/AgREFlET9K
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 26, 2019
And there’s Chris Gayle.
https://twitter.com/i_am_nibedan/status/1110414402136739840
Players who had integrity, unlike Ashwin.
Courtney Walsh's approach to Mankads
Each to their own#AshwinMankads #IPL pic.twitter.com/HvPcLB1Eyy
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) March 26, 2019
Batsmen be like.
Batsmen at the bowlers end when Ashwin bowls. pic.twitter.com/EKaEfnkY5J
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) March 26, 2019
Shane Warne is fuming at Ashwin’s pathetic behavior.
And to all the people (including ex players) saying it’s in the laws of the game, but you don’t like what he did & you wouldn’t do it – I ask you this “why wouldn’t you?” ! Simple answer – it’s disgraceful and embarrassing plus it’s against the spirit of the game !
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 25, 2019
Disgraceful.
What an absolute disgrace! @josbuttler spitting tacs and rightfully so!!! #RRvsKXIP
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) March 25, 2019
Ashwin and KXIP lost quite a few supporters last night.
Worst win for you @ashwinravi99 you are very unprofessional and arrogant cricketer who only want win at any cost..unsporting behaviour.. and I am from mohali and now you loose our support too.@josbuttler https://t.co/xJ6t4539Bu
— Dr Prashant Gupta (@DrPrashantgupt) March 26, 2019
Not good from Ashwin.
He is well within the line, not good from Ashwin pic.twitter.com/Rcf4AyCUtS
— jaswanthvuyyuru (@jaswanthv4u) March 26, 2019
No fair play award for KXIP this year, for sure.
@ashwinravi99 Ashwin pretended 2 throw d ball n then stopped in d middle of d bowling action,this was pre-meditated n not spontaneous. He manipulated d cricket laws. Very wrong precedent.Not in sportsman spirit.I hope Kings XI Punjab goes down in fair play awards #Ashwinmankads
— Anubha Agrawal (@anubhaagrawal24) March 26, 2019
Post-match handshake.
Ashwin is shocked Buttler didn't shake his hands. 😂 #AshwinMankads #Buttler https://t.co/0zO7p7xL7d
— Parvathi (@Parvathi_Off) March 26, 2019
Who is to blame?
My opinion on the Buttler/Ashwin controversy is that its NOT Buttlers fault and its NOT Ashwins fault either
Ashwin is entitled to appeal
I thought the TV umpire made the incorrect decision
Shouldve been dead ball….. play on
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) March 25, 2019
The 32-year old has been facing quite a lot of hate from social media users around the world for his behavior.
Do you think the rule of mankading is fair and what Ashwin did does it even count as mankading or was it plain deception? Let us know in the comments section.
Baber Vs Shahdab Scene Yaad Kar Le : Jaha Shahdab Ne Baber Ko Run Karne Dia :
RIP IPL ( Best PSL)
Its The Indian psyche, the myopic way of life, with blinders on, they want to win no matter it involves cheating / bribing or any dirty trick in the bag. No sportsman spirit AT all. They worship money and that it what it all matters in their life.
Indians are dumb.. lol