How Ravichandran Ashwin's Kutti Stories show sparked conversations on cricket issues?

Ravichandran Ashwin turned 38th birthday on Tuesday, September 17. Social media is flooded with special birthday wishes for the legendary off-spinner, who will return to action during the upcoming two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh, starting on Thursday, September 19.

Ashwin is one of the best spinners, not only in Indian cricket but also in the world. He has excellent numbers in the two white-ball formats but his exploits in Test cricket have given him an iconic status. In 100 Tests, Ashwin has picked up 556 wickets at an average of 23.75. Anil Kumble is the only Indian bowler to have more wickets (619) than the Chennai-born in the longest format of the game.

However, apart from his remarkable bowling prowess, Ashwin also gets a lot of appreciation for his deep understanding of the sport. He also can eloquently explain his points and his YouTube channel is quite a hit among the fans who love to see him speaking his mind alongside other prominent figures. The Kutti Stories with Ash videos are quite popular on his YouTube channel and they often address pertinent issues, giving cricket enthusiasts pennies for their thoughts.

Issues which became bigger after Ravichandran Ashwin addressed it on his Kutti Stories show:

3. Mankading (Discussed with Dinesh Karthik)

Ashwin invited his former Tamil Nadu and India teammate Dinesh Karthik on an episode of the Kutti Stories with Ash. This episode was uploaded on April 7, 2024. Ashwin asked Karthik about the controversial Mankading dismissal, bringing up an incident involving Harshal Patel and Ravi Bishnoi from an IPL 2023 clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants. Harshal tried to run Bishnoi out at the non-striker's end but failed to do so.

"I think it's a very personal question. At this stage, what is happening is that the world is divided a little bit. When it comes to getting a batter run out at the non-striker's end in a bowler's run-up, there are certain captains who are okay with it, and there are certain captains who are not yet okay with it. My take on it is, it is legitimate. You're allowed to do it. So if I get run out that way, I'm okay with it. If I'm the captain and a bowler of mine does it, I'll tell the bowler, 'Let's not go down that road.' But I don't have a problem with people doing it," Karthik said.

"On a personal note, I have a problem with the world morally judging that player when they do it. I don't think that is right. I don't think it is fair. Spirit of cricket is a very grey area. For me, what I think is there is a certain skill required in trying to get a batter out. We will try and get the batter out that way," he added.

Karthik floated an idea where the ICC could introduce a rule where the umpires would check whether a batter has walked out of the crease before the bowler has bowled a delivery. If the replays find the batter at fault, the result on that particular delivery, if it's in favour of the batting team, will be cancelled altogether. For example, if a four or a six has been hit on that delivery, that would be ruled out.