Anshuman Gaekwad Backs Ashwin Amid ‘Mankading’ Controversy

Former Indian coach and cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad has stood beside Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin after he was criticised by the most in the cricketing fraternity for his ‘Mankading’ incident involving Rajasthan Royals wicket-keeper batsman Jos Butter.

Many current and former cricketers took down Ashwin for his actions on the field, which according to them against the spirit of the game.

The entire controversy started after Ravichandran Ashwin ‘Mankaded’ Jos Buttler without a warning after he was repeatedly trying to leave his crease while Ashwin was bowling his deliveries.

But Gaekwad believes what Ashwin did was well within his right and accuses Buttler of trying to ‘cheat’ instead.

“I am with Ashwin, no matterwhat anyone say; that it’s cheating, this and that. Why did Ashwin hit the wicket? Because the other player was cheating, that’s why he did so. Had he (Buttler) not cheated, there would have been no controversy whatsoever. 

Anshuman Gaekwad, Former Indian Coach

Justifying Ashwin’s act, Gaekwad said that the off – spinner thought that Buttler was trying to leave the crease and he on his part was trying to stop him from doing that.

“When the bowler starts his run up, you leave the crease. When the bowler bowls, you are already four steps ahead. This is not right, this is cheating. So, I believe that you are playing by the rules. Cricket has changed. It’s not like what it used to be before. And if you are playing by the rules there is no problem there.”

Anshuman Gaekwad, Former Indian Coach

The former coach further elucidated on the fact that with the World Cup coming up, the bowlers and the batsmen both will be aware of this now that something like this has now happened in IPL.

“All players, be it the IPL, international cricket orthe World Cup, will now be aware that something like this can happen. And there is nothing wrong about it. This isn’t cheating.”

Anshuman Gaekwad, Former Indian Coach