R Ashwin 'Socially Distanced' From Ricky Ponting After Mankading Remark

The remark from Delhi Capital head coach Ricky Ponting to disallow R Ashwin from mankading in IPL 2020 has created a lot of furore in the cricketing folklore. And as premier India spinner joined the Delhi Capitals camp, he saw the funny side of it, and posted about the same on his official Instagram account.

Ashwin shared a picture where Ponting and Delhi Capitals captain Shreyas Iyer are elbowing each other with all smiles while R Ashwin is standing distanced from them. He said in the caption of the picture that he has socially distanced himself from Ponting.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEmS89tnA5z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Ponting believes mankading is not in the spirit of the game and had said that he will discuss about the same with Ashwin. Ponting will disallow Ashwin to do the same in the upcoming season of IPL 2020, slated to take place in UAE.

In a podcast, the 2003 World Cup winning captain, said that he will have a chat with Ashwin ahead of the season. He also added that Ashwin is a terrific bowler and has contributed highly for the side but should refrain from doing such act.

According to the rules mankading is well within the limits. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) rule book, the 41.16 Law says: Non-striker leaving his/her ground early states, “If the non-striker is out of his/her 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/her out. Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one in the over.