'My wife ran away from the ground' - Murali Kartik recalls a run-out controversy from 2012

Cricketer-turned commenter Murali Kartik recalls an unpleasant incident involving him during a County match while playing for Surrey against Somerset in the year 2012. Kartik, who was a regular part of the team for several years, did well with both and ball. The former off-spinner was part of the team that won the 2008 Twenty20 Cup in England-their first domestic title in 15 years picking up 14 wickets in 11 matches.

Controversies were always part of Kartik right since his playing days, and he was involved in a run-out controversy involving Alex Barrow at the non-striker’s end in Taunton. The former Railways player gave a warning to the batter to which Barrow didn’t pay any heed. Kartik’s act was widely criticized by the onlookers as they booed him and the then Surrey skipper Gareth Batty.

Recalling the events surrounding the controversy in the year 2012, Kartik told Ravichandran Ashwin of how the experience panned out in a YouTube show DRS with Ash.

“My wife ran away from the ground. It was that kind of a threat with the crowd booing and all. They almost entered the dressing room.”

Kartik sheds light on the debate

In 2013, while playing for Railways Kartik did the same to Bangal batter Sandipan Das for backing up too far at the non-striker’s end. The former off-spinner added that he would even do now if the batsmen are backing too much as it is within the laws of the game.

“In my case, I warned the batsman thrice. They never spoke about that. Despite the warning, they are blaming the bowler. I am ready to run out all the 11 batsmen if they step out before I deliver the ball,” said Murali Kartik.

Kartik believes the spirit of cricket law is biased towards the batter and added undue advantage should not be taken.

“What the bowler is doing is right and the batsman is wrong. By bringing in the spirit of cricket, they have made the bowler the villain, which is so wrong. In fact, it (2012 incident) went into the MCC, where they discussed about the rules.”

Running the non-striker for backing up too far has garnered a lot of flak among former cricketers and critics as they feel it is not the right way to dismiss the batter.