Australian Test great Mitchell Johnson has thrown his support behind the use of the unsportsmanlike mankad, but only if a pre-warning is given to the batsman.
Debate around the divisive tactic spun out of control after Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin controversially dismissed Jos Buttler to derail the Rajasthan Royals in Steve Smith's return game in the Indian Premier League.
Buttler was caught off guard when Ashwin pulled up on his run, urging the spin master to withdraw his appeal after his bails were knocked off.
MORE: Under-fire Ravi Ashwin defends 'disgraceful' Jos Buttler mankad
Ashwin's strategies were blasted by Australian legend Shane Warne, questioning his leadership credentials and calling for the BCCI to take action .
“As captain of your side you set the standard of the way the team wants to play and what the team stands for! Why do such a disgraceful and low act like that tonight? You must live with yourself and FYI — it’s to late to say sorry Mr Ashwin. You will be remembered for that low act,'' Warne said.
“Any player in the game that does that to anyone is an embarrassment to the game and as captain it’s even more disgraceful.”
But Ashwin found an unlikely ally in Johnson who compared the act to an underarm serve in tennis.
''My thoughts on the Mankad. Its not cheating, it’s not against the spirit as it’s in the rules you can do it,'' Johnson wrote on Twitter.
''Personally I would warn someone if I was to do it but the batsman should also play fair by staying behind the crease. It’s a bit like the underarm serve in tennis right??''
My thoughts on the Mankad. Its not cheating, it’s not against the spirit as it’s in the rules you can do it. Personally I would warn someone if I was to do it but the batsman should also play fair by staying behind the crease. It’s a bit like the underarm serve in tennis right??
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) March 25, 2019
Earlier, Johnson created a poll taking the spotlight off the bowler and putting the onus on the batsman.
Is it Fair Play for the batsman to walk out of the crease before the bowler delivers the ball?
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) March 25, 2019
Buttler was at least warned by Sri Lanka spinner Sachithra Senanayake when he was the victim of a 'Mankad' in 2014, but Ashwin did not appear to sound a warning before what was a pivotal moment.
"On my part it was very instinctive. It was not planned or anything like that. It is there within the rules of the game," Ashwin said when asked if he felt his actions where in the spirit of the game.
"I don't really understand where your spirt of the game comes from, because quite naturally if it's there in the rules it's there, so probably the rules need to go back and be sorted."
Though it's a mankad... Cricket s a gentleman's game... 🤒
— syed razith(since2000) (@Razith4) March 25, 2019
Itz totally unfair.. 🙄Atleast they must given him a warning ... 🤕@ashwinravi99 Didn't expect this from u bro 🙄@josbuttler Kindly sry fa tis mean act😢#RRvKXIP #ashwin pic.twitter.com/LqpARu5u9n
