IPL 2019 | 'Spirit is an individual thing' - Bishan Singh Bedi comments on Manakding incident

03/30/2019

Speaking on the recent controversy surrounding Ravichandran Ashwin Mankading Jos Butler in one of the IPL games, Bishan Singh Bedi has stated that Spirit of Cricket is an individual thing for the players. The former left-arm spinner said that spirit is not some written rule in the game of cricket.

The discussion on the controversial topic Mankading is still not ending. As Ashwin decided to get rid of a dangerous looking Butler in the first game between the two teams – Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals - many former cricketers and experts have come out to question the bowler’s intention and spirit of cricket. Many have held Ashwin responsible for spoiling the gentleman’s game by Mankading Butler.

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) had also clarified that Ashwin running out Butler was within the laws of the game. However, a day letter they again said, “we don’t think it was within the spirit of the game. Ashwin’s pause (at the crease) was too long”.

Meanwhile, spin legend Bedi has come out to opine that spirit is an individual matter and IPL and spirit of cricket is a mismatch according to him.

“Spirit an individual thing. How you want to be remembered and respected for the way you played the game – that’s spirit. Not some written rule,” Bedi told TOI.

“IPL and spirit? Sort of a born mismatch, no? Hmmm… I’ll agree with that.”