‘Imagine someone running out Kohli’ - R Ashwin reflects on possibility of non-striker run-out at World Cup

The ODI World Cup is just round the corner with the tournament all set to begin on October . Some of the world’s best sides will be keen on putting in their best performances and getting their hands on the coveted title. 

However, with the tournament approaching, there have been a plethora of talking points ahead of the mega event and non-striker run-outs is one of those. Recently, Pakistan’s Shadab Khan was dismissed by Fazalhaq Farooqi in that manner as the Afghan pacer took the bails off when Shadab was out of the crease in the recently concluded ODI between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin and pondered over the what if of Virat Kohli, Steve Smith or Joe Root being run out at the non-striker end,

"This is a fair assessment of the situation. Imagine someone running out Kohli, Rohit, Smith, Root, or any crucial batter at the non-strikers in the World Cup semi-final or a crunch game that will decide qualification," Ravichandran Ashwin posted on Twitter.

"I am sure hell will break loose and there will be a character assassination campaign by some experts who still don’t agree with it, and of course, fans that are on the receiving end," he added.

This is a fair assessment of the situation 👏👏.

Imagine someone running out kohli, Rohit , Smith , Root or any crucial batter at the non strikers in the World Cup semi final or a crunch game which will decide qualification.

I am sure hell will break loose and there will be a… https://t.co/IvzoQt5eAB

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) August 27, 2023

Stay inside the crease and live in peace: R Ashwin

Furthermore, Ashwin also highlighted what the batters could do to avoid such a situation. He stated that looking back at the bowler and staying inside the crease could be the way to go. He also stated that with everything at stake at the World Cup, the teams not taking the moral high ground will do whatever it takes to win. 

"At the moment not all teams are doing it but come the World Cup, I really hope everyone is ready for it, because taking a moral high stand and saying we won’t do it, should open a strategic window for the other teams, and genuinely, teams should take every single advantage coming their way because winning a World Cup is a lifetime achievement. Finally, is winning everything? It's everything for some and not for many others; we need to accept both because we are all different. Stay inside the crease and live in peace," Ashwin said.