Shreyas Iyer Reveals How They Convinced Ravichandran Ashwin Not To Mankad
Published - 06 Jul 2021, 01:45 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:49 AM
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had created controversy while playing for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) in IPL 2019 against Rajasthan Royals. Ravichandran Ashwin decided to Mankad Jos Buttler, who had backed up too far before the off-spinner delivered the ball. As a result, Ashwin created polarising opinions amongst the cricketing fraternity. Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer has opened up on how the 34-year old agreed not to do it before IPL 2020.
Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting infamously agreed that as a law it’s simple; however, he raised objections against it as a part of the rules and laws committee with the MCC. The former Australian skipper believed they have to stop the batsmen from resorting to illegal practices that they tend to do in the death overs. Thus, Ponting and Ashwin seemed to have a bittersweet conversation on the same.
One of the instances also came along during the Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore encounter in IPL 2020 in Dubai. When opening batsman Aaron Finch stepped out of the crease at the non-striker’s end, Ravichandran Ashwin threatened to do it, but he did not. Later, the Tamil Nadu-born cricketer revealed he wouldn’t spare anyone the next time.
Ravichandran Ashwin just had to decide on what we decided: Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer revealed that it was a tough decision to make as Ricky Ponting and the Capitals’ skipper were not in favour of doing that. The right-handed batsman underlined that convincing Ravichandran Ashwin was difficult as he was ingrained in his opinion. Later, the 34-year old budged from his stance, stating that he will do as they say until the batsmen do something unusual.
“That decision was really tough to make. Ricky and I were really adamant on saying that we are not going to do that. Ravichandran Ashwin just had to decide on what we decided. He was like, ‘OK, I am going to stick to whatever you guys have decided and I am OK with it until and unless the batsman does something weird,” Iyer told The Grade Cricketer (TGC) Podcast.
