'Anyone that goes out of the crease' - Ravi Ashwin warns batsmen of mankading ahead of IPL 2020

Ravi Ashwin has made it clear that he would not be shying away from pulling off Mankad in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) too. The off-spinner was slammed from all over for the way he ran-out Jos Buttler in the last edition of the league when Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals locked horns.

Buttler was going great guns with the bat and was looking set to take the Royals over the line. However, before he could do that, Ravichandran Ashwin decided to Mankad him. Upon seeing that Buttler had left the crease before the ball was bowled, Ashwin took off the bails and appealed straightaway. The umpire had no option but to raise his finger.

Ashwin was not at all fault for dismissing Buttler since it was within the rules. However, the practice is widely seen against the spirit of cricket and thus the veteran spinner faced criticism from all around. The likes of Shane Warne, James Anderson as well as several other cricketers and fans slammed Ashwin for his conduct.

But the right-arm spinner has made it clear that he would not stop from doing it again next season if he finds any batsman crossing the line prematurely. Ashwin made the revelation while he was having a question-answer session on Twitter. The fans asked him a variety of questions and one of them cheekily asked him the names of the batsmen he can Mankad in IPL 2020.

“Who are the potential batsmen you can Mankad this IPL?,” asked the fan.

Who are the potential batsmen you can Mankad this IPL? #askash

— Saravanan (@SaravanElango) December 30, 2019

In reply, Ravichandran Ashwin clearly stated: “Anyone that goes out of the crease. ✅”

Anyone that goes out of the crease. ✅

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) December 30, 2019

New IPL team for Ravi Ashwin

Ravi Ashwin will be plying his trade for a new team in the next edition of the IPL. Having played for Chennai Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiant and Kings XI Punjab, he will represent Delhi Capitals in the next edition. He had led Kings XI Punjab in the last two seasons before the franchise decided to trade him to Delhi Capitals last month.