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BSP-11
CRICKET-IND-IPL-BUTTLER
Buttler ends ‘Mankad’ row with Ashwin
NEW DELHI, April 9, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – England’s Jos Buttler has declared an
end to his showdown with Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin after being
dismissed by a “Mankad” runout in the Indian Premier League.
The Rajasthan Royals star had a heated exchange with the captain of Kings
XI Punjab after being run out at the non-striker’s end while backing up in an
incident that sparked an international debate on the “spirit of cricket”.
Buttler told the Times of India he had looked at replays and was sure he
should not have been given out, “But it’s all done now and I have moved on.”
The dismissal, named after former India player Vinoo Mankad, is legal but
is seen by many as unsporting unless the batsman has been warned first.
Buttler said he did speak with Ashwin after the March 25 runout which even
brought disapproval from the MCC, the arbiter of the game’s rules.
“I just asked him if he really wishes to play the game that way. Whether
he thought it was the right thing to do,” Buttler said.
“And he obviously thought it was, in his opinion.”
Ashwin, who has been unrepentant of his act, seemed to have waited for
Buttler to leave his crease before clipping off the bails.
Buttler, who was a victim of a Mankad dismissal by Sri Lanka’s Sachithra
Senanayake in 2014, said he “will make sure it doesn’t happen again”.
With minds already turning to the World Cup which starts Mmay 30 soon
after the IPL ends, Buttler said the title was an open race.
“We are one of the favourites. Traditionally, in World Cup, India and
Australia are up there as well,” the hard-hitting batsman-wicketkeeper said.
“We are playing some really good cricket. But World Cup tournaments,
knockout tournaments are always high pressure situations,” he said of the
tournament.
Buttler has been in good form for Rajasthan, scoring 176 runs in five T20
matches including two half-centuries.
Buttler’s English teammates in Jonny Bairstow, for Sunrisers Hyderabad,
and young all-rounder Sam Curran, for Punjab, have also shone in the IPL.
“Since the time more England players have started playing in the IPL,
selectors have been taking note of performances in the league,” said Buttler.
“Through IPL, many players have got a chance to play in the England Test
team.
“Coming here and playing in the biggest tournament in the world and
winning against the best players in this high-pressure environment, you also
gain a lot of confidence.”
BSS/AFP/BZC/1317HRS