'I wonder why Ravi wants the mankad law to stay' - James Anderson questions Ravi Ashwin; Indian spinner responds

World Cricket is once again divided on the “Spirit of Cricket” debate after Afghanistan spinner Noor Ahmed ran out Pakistan’s non-striking batsman Mohammad Huraira during the 2020 ICC U19 World Cup Super League Quarter-final 2 for leaving the crease at the time of the bowler normally expected to release the ball. This dismissal is known as “Mankad” primarily because it was former Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad, who ran Australia’s Bill Brown at the non-striking end twice before delivering the ball during a 1948 Test match.

While the Aussie media termed the move as “unsportsmanlike”, the then Australian captain Sir Donald Bradman backed Vinoo Mankad for the same. And, the rule completely justifies the bowler’s actions too. According to the rule, “If the non-striker is out of his ground from the moment the ball comes into play, to the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the bowler is permitted to attempt to run him out.”

Soon after Ahmed dismissed Huraira, ICC shared a video on social media which once again led to contrasting opinions from fans, pundits and former cricketers. England fast bowler James Anderson is clearly not in favor of the bowler doing such thing and made his views pretty clear when he said, “Can we sort out (remove) this law please @ICC #MCC??” 

To this, Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who drew a lot of ire last year for dismissing Jos Buttler during an IPL game, took a dig on Anderson as he replied, “Law removal might need some deliberation!! A Shredder might do the trick for now.”

Law removal might need some deliberation!! A Shredder might do the trick for now😂😂🤩 https://t.co/8z5TNT57kZ

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) February 1, 2020

Ashwin had used the shredder analogy because Anderson had shredded the off-spinner’s photo for dismissing Buttler at the non-striking end during the IPL game between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals last year.

It didn’t end here though. Anderson was quick to reply to an article mentioning Ashwin’s cheeky dig at him when he sarcastically said, “I wonder why Ravi wants the law to stay! #lovesamankad.” To which Ashwin replied, “I am not taking the bait mate, my point was about the usefulness of a shredder and not the run out.”

I am not taking the bait mate😂, my point was about the usefulness of a shredder and not the run out.

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) February 1, 2020