Sehwag Congratulates Ashwin

Legendary Indian opening batsman Virender Sehwag congratulated Ravi Ashwin following Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) introduced changes to the current rules. MCC has switched the disputed form of removal from Law 41 to Law 38 in order to counter run-outs at the non-striker’s side before the ball is delivered, widely called ‘Mankading.’

Sehwag Congratulates R Ashwin Over Mankanding Rule Change

Such type of dismissal was previously classified as ‘unfair play’ as per Law 41. Sehwag didn’t really miss out on grabbing the off-leg spinners as MCC proposed an alteration in the rules. Importantly, in IPL 2019, Ashwin notably removed Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler with this method, upsetting the cricket world. Whereas many supported Ashwin’s efforts, some others spoke against him.

“Congratulations @ashwinravi99, great week this one. First becoming second-highest wicket-taker in Tests for India, and now this. Ab full freedom to plot such run-outs with Buttler. Ek karna zaroor,” Sehwag post read.

Ashwin topped renowned all-rounder Kapil Dev’s record of 434 Test wickets following India’s 1st of 2 home Tests versus Sri Lanka to become India’s 2nd-highest wicket-taker in the Test format. He accomplished the milestone in only his 85th Test, 46 less than Dev. Anil Kumble leads the list with 619 wickets in 132 games.

It is a legitimate way to dismiss someone: Fraser Stewart

As per rules which are updated, MCC’s new norm states: “Law 41.16 – running out the non-striker – has been moved from Law 41 (Unfair Play) to Law 38 (Run out). The wording of the Law remains the same.”

“The bowler is always painted as the villain but it is a legitimate way to dismiss someone and it is the non-striker who is stealing the ground. It is legitimate, it is a run-out and therefore it should live in the run-out section of the laws,” said MCC Laws Manager Fraser Stewart.

Notwithstanding the backlash, R Ashwin continued his stand on the argument. As a result, he would have been really delighted with MCC’s course of action. Sehwag didn’t want to miss out on addressing the same to a hilarious post. When applauding the Tamil Nadu batsman on becoming India’s 2nd-highest wicket-taker in Tests, Nawab of Najafgarh also advised him to plan more similar run-outs with Jos Buttler.

Ravi Ashwin will not be able to outline Buttler’s removal anymore, as both cricketers now are part of the same IPL franchise after the Rajasthan Royals (RR) acquired the off-spinner in the IPL 2022 mega auctions for INR 5 crore.