'There are no hard feelings at all between them' - Delhi Capitals CEO clears the air between Ravi Ashwin and Ricky Ponting

It was only a few days back that news of conversation between Ravi Ashwin and Ricky Ponting regarding Mankading was doing rounds on social media. To clear the air, the franchise’s CEO, Dhiraj Malhotra, has stated that Ponting’s comments on the same matter were completely drawn out of the context. Also, there are no hard feelings between the off-spinner and the head coach. The DC head coach stated that he would have a ‘hard conversation’ with Ashwin post reaching the Gulf country.

The Australian also stated that he wouldn’t allow the players of his team to indulge in ‘Mankading‘. His comments created a stir, but the bowler later clarified that Ponting’s comments were taken out of context. The duo recently agreed to the fact a batsman is ‘cheating’ is he tries to back up too much before delivery has taken place. They talked over Mankading from their hotel rooms in the UAE.

“It was totally taken out of context. Ponting was having banter with his friends back home, it was not how it was portrayed.

Both are very serious cricketers and top personalities. They had already spoken about it in a chat show. They had a very good conversation about it. It is important that they have cleared the air. There are no hard feelings at all,” DC CEO told Khaleej Times.

I think we’re both on the same page: Ricky Ponting

The cricket fraternity stood divided during the last year’s IPL, when Ashwin’s Mankading incident came to the fore. He mankaded Jos Buttler, who was backing too far even before the delivery was made. However, later in an interview with cricket.com.au, Ponting said that he agrees with the experienced spinner and understands his idea behind it.

“He (Ashwin) made me get on a podcast with him when I first arrived here to have a good open chat about it. I think we’re both on the same page. He feels he did everything in the rules and laws of the game, and he’s absolutely right.”

Having said that, Ponting still feels that the 33-year-old bowler should first warn the batsman and then resort to mankading if he doesn’t take note of the things.