Everyone watches the game hoping that the bowlers will get smacked today: Ravi Ashwin demands free ball if batsman is mankaded

Former Australia captain and current Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting‘s comments on Ravi Ashwin has opened up a debate on mankad once again. The latter was all over the news headlines for mankading Jos Buttler last year during the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite the form of dismissal being according to the laws of the game, many deem it against the sportsman spirit.

Ponting even stated recently that he will have a hard talk with Ashwin about the same when he joins the Delhi Capitals camp. India cricketer Dinesh Karthik also gave his views on the matter pointing out that the legends of the game, along with ICC and MCC have said that mankading is within the rules. He also went on to add that one shouldn’t see the dismissal in a negative way.

“From Don Bradman to Sunil Gavaskar, everyone has said it’s completely within the rules. The ICC and MCC have also taken a stand that it is okay. I don’t see the reason why any team that does it is looked at in a negative way,” Karthik said while speaking to News18. He also asked the cricket nerds to give their opinion on the matter and tagged Ravi Ashwin as well.

Let’s give a chance to bowlers, says Ravi Ashwin

The off-spinner was quick to respond to Dinesh Karthik‘s tweet and he demanded a free ball for the bowler whenever a batsman is out of his crease. He also added that if a batsman is mankaded, then the batting team should be penalised for five runs.

“Make it a free ball for the bowler. If the batsmen gets out of that ball, the batting team will be docked 5 runs. Free hit adds to the drama for a batter, let’s give a chance to the bowlers too. As of now everyone watches the game hoping that ‘the bowlers will get smacked today’,” Ravi Ashwin’s tweet read.

Here’s his tweet:

Ravi Ashwin seems to be maintaining his stance on mankading and it will be interesting to see how his conversation with Ricky Ponting pans out during the IPL.