With the 'Mankading Saga' heating up leaving the cricketing world divided with some cricketers supporting Ashwin's act as per rules of the game and the others standing against the act terming it 'against the spirit of the game', the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the lawmakers of cricket, have intervened into the discussion stating that insisting a rule for the game is essential.
"This law is essential. Without it, non-strikers could back up at liberty, several yards down the pitch and a law is needed to prevent such action," read the MCC statement.
The 'Mankading Saga' started when Ravichandran Ashwin mankaded Jos Buttler in an IPL match when the third umpire gave a decision in the favour of Kings XI captain.
The debate was all about Ashwin's intentions of bowling the delivery because Buttler was in crease when the spinner was at his release point but he didn't bowl and went on to mankad run-out Buttler.
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"The crux of the issue is when the non-striker can safely leave his/her ground, and what the bowler can do to effect this form of dismissal without courting controversy.
"To clarify, it has never been in the laws that a warning should be given to the non-striker and nor is it against the spirit of cricket to run out a non-striker who is seeking to gain an advantage by leaving his/her ground early," the statement read.
"Some feel that Ashwin delayed his action to allow Buttler the chance to leave his ground and that Buttler was in his ground when he expected the ball to be released. If it was a deliberate delay, that would be unfair and against the spirit of cricket. Ashwin claims this not to be the case. The TV umpire had to make a decision and, under the law, it was understandable how he opted to give Buttler out," added the statement.
Kings XI Punjab will be facing Kolkata Knight Riders in the evening on Wednesday.