Ravichandran Ashwin Reveals The ‘hard conversation’ Between Him And Ricky Ponting On A Video Call
The whole cricketing world was waiting in utter anticipation to hear about the details of the “hard conversation” that would take place between Ravichandran Ashwin and Ricky Ponting. The Delhi Capitals Coach and the off-spinner was supposed to talk about the dismissal of the batsman backing up at the non-striker’s end. So, Ashwin decided to end the suspense by revealing a glimpse of the conversation.
Ravichandran Ashwin was previously the captain of the Kings XI Punjab in the last two seasons. In the auction ahead of the IPL 2020, Delhi Capitals secured the services of Ravichandran Ashwin. Both Ashwin and the head Coach Ricky Ponting were in mandatory quarantine for 6 days, in their respective hotel rooms in Dubai. Ashwin decided to have a chat with Ponting regarding the ‘mankading’ issue. Last season, Ashwin dismissed Jos Buttler who was trying to back up at the non-striker’s end. This mankading incident hogged the headlines in no time.
Ashwin uploaded a video in his Youtube channel, where he and Ponting were discussing their views regarding ‘mankading’. Both of them stayed very firm in their point of view. However, they came to a common conclusion, that the batsman should face a penalty if he is caught backing up.
Ravichandran Ashwin questions the advantage taken by the batsman by running two to three yards before the bowler delivers the ball.
Ashwin justified his point of view and stated that a batsman gains a huge advantage if he runs two to three yards before the bowler delivers the ball. He also said that ‘mankading’ is a cricket law and hence there should be no problems for the bowlers in using that.
“The moment I did that, Ricky, you said, even if you ask me, I will have a point of justification. But it’s not justification. To be honest, I’m a serial sort of run out guy at the non-striker’s end. I started at the age of 12 because I couldn’t take the batsman taking those extra yards. I was a batsman myself in the junior category. I feel it’s a massive disadvantage. And the moment I did that, the spirit of cricket was brought into play. And you were a part of the committee that approved that law. So what’s your take on that?” Ashwin stated.
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The Australian was quick to reply that it is not correct to run out the batsman. If the batsman is indeed backing up, then there should be some middle way to stop him from repeating it.
“I totally get where you’re coming from. And that’s what I said. I wasn’t trying to say that you were justified because actually in the course of the game, you can’t do it. So, if a batsman is cheating and trying to pinch a couple of yards, then honestly, we’ve got to find a way around, trying to make the batsman stop cheating. We’ve had this conversation already. I don’t want to see anyone running two to three yards down the wicket. That basically is cheating,” Ponting replied.
Both of them felt that there should be a penalty of runs.
Ravichandran Ashwin further made sure to remind Ponting of the new no-ball rule. Now, the TV umpire looks at every ball very closely. According to Ravichandran Ashwin, if the bowlers are under such close watch, then the batsman should be as well. Ponting answered him and said that there should be some run penalty if the non-striker is backing off. No batsman can afford to lose 10 runs from his team’s total due to his own fault.
“I think so. I think there should be some sort of run penalty. If you are at the top of your bowling action and stop, and it shows that the batsman is cheating, is out of the crease, I think put a run penalty on him. And do it right from the start. Because that’ll stop him straight away. Taking 10 runs off the team total because you’ve taken a yard out of your crease. It’s got to be those sorts of things that need to be looked at,” Ricky signed off.
