The Mankad Debate

It seems that India just can't stay out of the headlines this summer and last night's game against Sri Lanka has started a new debate with India at the centre.  And it is all over the controversial dismissal - The Mankad.

Let's look at what happened on the night. 

Firstly view the footage of the incident and then the Foxsports debate.

Secondly the rule needs to be reviewed:  Law 42.15 Bowler attempting to run out non-striker before delivery - The bowler is permitted, before entering his delivery stride, to attempt to run out the non-striker.

Now lets put this rule to the evidence at hand.  All the debate has been over whether or not the bowler needs to give a warning before doing a Mankad, how a warning should be given and if in the end it is dirty cricket.  To start with I will state that it was not out purely under the laws of cricket.  Look at the footage carefully and the bowler, Ravi Ashwin, has clearly entered his delivery stride as his front leg is in the air in his final delivery stride.  I have have heard arms mentioned in the debate but a stride is pertained to the legs and nothing else. So in this instance no matter what argument you have for or against the Mankad, it was not out and should never be ruled out. 

As for a warning before doing a Mankad.  This is purely under the ethics or morals of cricket.  It is not stated anywhere in the laws and is akin to the unwritten rule that batsmen will not run if a throw deflects off a bastman.    If a warning is to be given though, how should it be done?  Most cricketers and watchers of cricket will tell you that the bowler will attempt the Mankad only to pull up short to put a scare into the non-striker.  Simply saying something to the batsmen between overs is not what I would consider a warning.

If a Mankad is considered to be dirty cricket then I would also say that a batsmen running well before the ball is bowled to also be dirty cricket.  If it is fair game for the batsmen to run early then it is fair game for the bowler to run him out.

Where do sit with the idea of Mankads in cricket.  Not a problem.  It is in the rules and the way that non-strikers steal metres in One Day cricket and Twenty20's it is something that should be happening more.  Most rules in cricket are designed to favour the batsmen, so to have a law that favours the bowlers is good for the game.  If a batsmen is stupid enough to get himself run-out in a game before the ball is bowled is only an embarrassment for himself and his team. 

What I do have a problem with is when players, officials, commentators and couch experts do not understand the rule.  If the rule was understood correctly then the debate happening would be focused more on Ashwin not being in a position to do a Mankad as he was already in his delivery stride.