IPL 2019: It's not cheating, says Mitchell Johnson on Ravi Ashwin 'Mankading' Jos Buttler

Former Australia fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson has weighed in on the ‘Mankad’ controversy that took place on Monday. The fourth IPL game of the season between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab was overshadowed after Ravi Ashwin dismissed Jos Buttler in a legal yet controversial manner. The Mankad run-out is legal as per the ICC rules but is widely considered against the Spirit of the Game.

The incident took place on the fifth ball of the 13th over when Ashwin was delivering his final over of the game. Ashwin stopped momentarily in his delivery stride while Buttler, who was looking at the other end, just walked out of the crease. Upon seeing that, Ashwin wasted no-time in turning back and taking the bails off in a flash. The Kings XI Punjab skipper immediately appealed before the third umpire gave his decision in the bowler’s favour.

Buttler, who was batting on 69 at that time, walked off the crease in anger as the cricketing world reacted strongly to the incident. While many have slammed Ravi Ashwin for the act, there are several who think that the bowler’s act was within the rules of the game. Well, Johnson, who played for Kings XI Punjab in the past, now has his say on the matter. The legendary bowler took to Twitter to state that Ashwin’s act was not cheating although he insisted that he would personally issue a warning to the players.

“My thoughts on the Mankad. Its not cheating, it’s not against the spirit as it’s in the rules you can do it. Personally, I would warn someone if I was to do it but the batsman should also play fair by staying behind the crease. It’s a bit like the underarm serve in tennis right??,” Mitchell Johnson wrote.

My thoughts on the Mankad. Its not cheating, it’s not against the spirit as it’s in the rules you can do it. Personally I would warn someone if I was to do it but the batsman should also play fair by staying behind the crease. It’s a bit like the underarm serve in tennis right??

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) March 25, 2019

Buttler’s dismissal sparks turnaround:

Buttler’s dismissal, meanwhile, proved to be the turning point of the game. The Rajasthan Royals were 108 for 1 while chasing 185 when Ravi Ashwin ran out Buttler. The Royals suffered an inexplicable collapse soon and eventually finished on 170 for 9.

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