IPL 2019 | Simon Taufel backs R Ashwin’s ‘Mankading’ incident, says it has nothing to do with 'spirit of the game'

04/27/2019

Former ICC umpire Simon Taufel has backed Ravichandran Ashwin’s controversial run-out in their opening game, where he 'Mankaded' Jos Buttler, and said it has not violated the spirit of the game. Taufel is widely-reckoned as one of the best umpires to have embraced the game of cricket.

Ravichandran Ashwin came under fire after Mankading Jos Buttler in their opening game of the ongoing Indian Premier League season. Ashwin received massive criticism from the fans, but few also backed his actions saying ‘it was within the law’.

Opinions still continue to flow on Ashwin’s controversial run-out that turned the game in Kings XI Punjab’s favour. Former international elite umpire Simon Taufel has said that Ashiwn’s act has nothing to do with violating the spirit of the game.

In his column for ESPNCricinfo, Taufel has backed Ashwin and has also said it would be wrong to criticise Ashwin.

“The intent of the law is that the non-striker should not leave their ground at the bowler’s end before the ball is delivered. This is why the ICC has stipulated within their regulations and interpretations that the bowler can dismiss the non-striker run out up until the bowler’s arm reaches the top of the delivery swing,” Taufel wrote.

Many accused Ashwin of pre-planning the wicket, to which Taufel gave a sane response. He wrote, “People also accused Ashwin of premeditation. My response to that would be: well, so what? Bowlers attempt to get batsmen out lbw, bowled, caught, or by any other form of dismissal. Aren’t all these premeditated? So I don’t see how that is a relevant argument at all."

Taufel also wrote about MS Dhoni barging on to the field to challenge on-field umpire's decision during CSK's encounter against Rajasthan earlier this season. Taufel termed Dhoni's act as 'wrong' as a non-participating player stepping on the field mid-way is not at all right.

"My first reaction at the incident of Dhoni going on to the field to talk to the umpires was that of surprise because one of Dhoni's great strengths that I have seen over the years is his composure and his ability to handle adversity or difficult moments with a high degree of acceptance, to consider his options and then act in a measured, controlled way.

"But non-participating players or even coaches and managers entering the field of play to approach an umpire is not right. MS acknowledged this by accepting and pleading guilty to the charge imposed by the IPL match officials."