Team India spinner and Rajasthan Royals’ player Ravichandran Ashwin has finally reacted to Harshal Patel’s attempt to run out Ravi Bishnoi at the non-striker’s end while bowling the last ball of the final over in the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Ashwin, who is a huge supporter of this rule, praised Harshal Patel and stated that he will always do something like this in that situation.
“One ball, one to win. The non-striker is always going to run. I would stop every time and run a batsman out. I don’t see what the problem is,” Ashwin said in a press conference ahead of Rajasthan Royals’ clash against Chennai Super Kings.
“I was just watching the game and telling my wife he should run him out. And he did it. I was so glad and happy that a bowler had the courage to do it and I wish more bowlers do it,” he added.
Ashwin also cited an example and explained how fine margins could be a decisive factor.
“In fact, Kings XI Punjab (Punjab Kings now, his former team) would have qualified [for the play-offs] in 2019 had we run-out Rahul Chahar (then with Mumbai Indians) at the non-striker’s end [in a match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai].”
Ashwin was the first one to use ‘Mankading’ in IPL history when he ran out Jos Buttler in IPL 2019. The incident sparked major debate among cricket fans who tend to have contrasting opinions.