In the cricket world, where runs and wickets dominate the discussions, the "Mankad" ignites passionate debates. This run-out, named after Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad, involves the bowler dismissing the non-striker who leaves the crease before delivery. Is it fair play or against the spirit of the game? Let's go into the heart of this cricketing issue.

What is Mankad in Cricket?

"Mankad" refers to a method of dismissal in cricket, where the bowler runs out the non-striking batter before delivering the ball. The batter steps out of the crease in anticipation of stealing a run. It is a legal form of dismissal but has been debated and controversial in the cricketing world.

Origin of Mankad

The term "Mankad" is named after the Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad, who first used this method in the 2nd Test at Sydney in 1947. He ran out the non-striking batter, Bill Brown, during the match. The term "Mankad" stuck, forever tied to this specific act, and since then, this mode of dismissal has been known as "Mankading."

The Law

According to the laws of cricket, Mankading is a legitimate form of dismissal. Law states that the bowler is permitted to run out the non-striking batter before entering his delivery stride. So, legally, it's a perfectly acceptable dismissal. However, if the bowler passes the release point in his action, it is no longer possible to run out the non-striker under this Law. 

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The Controversy

While legal under the Laws of Cricket, Mankading is controversial in cricket because some consider it against the "spirit of the game," an unwritten code of ethics in cricket and being unsportsmanlike. The debate around Mankad intensifies when used in crucial moments of a match, leading to heated discussions among players, fans, and pundits.

Arguments Against Mankading

The argument mainly concerns whether dismissing a batter who leaves the crease before the ball is bowled is fair. Some players believe it's unfair and unethical to dismiss someone not actively involved in playing the shot and portray the bowler as taking undue advantage.  

Arguments in Favor of Mankading

On the other hand, supporters of the Mankad rule argue that it is a legal way to prevent batters from gaining an unfair advantage by backing up too far during the match. Players say that bowlers have the right to enforce the rules and dismiss anyone breaking them, regardless of tradition. Moreover, the bowlers give repeated warnings before resorting to a Mankad, making it avoidable if the batter adheres to the rules.

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Mankad Examples in Cricket

Mankading incidents have occurred in various cricket matches at different game levels. One high-profile incident involved Ravichandran Ashwin running out Jos Buttler during an IPL match in 2019. This incident sparked much debate and divided opinions within the cricketing world.

In Test Cricket

1. Bill Brown by Vinoo Mankad, Australia vs India, Sydney, 1947
2. Ian Redpath by Charlie Griffith, Australia vs West Indies, 1969
3. Derek Randall by Ewen Chatfield, England v New Zealand, 1978
4. Sikander Bakht by Alan Hurst, Pakistan vs Australia, 1979

In ODI Cricket

1. Brian Luckhurst by Greg Chappell, England v Australia, Melbourne, 1975
2. Grant Flower by Dipak Patel, Zimbabwe v New Zealand, 1992
3. Peter Kirsten by Kapil Dev, South Africa v India, 1992
4. Jos Buttler by Sachithra Senanayake, England vs Sri Lanka, 2014
5. Shadab Khan by Fazalhaq Farooqi, Pakistan v Afghanistan, 2023

In T20I Cricket

1. Mark Chapman by Aamir Kaleem, Hong Kong v Oman, Fatullah 2016

In Women ODI

1. Charlie Dean by Deepti Sharma, England v India, Lord's, 2022

The Current Scenario

The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently removed Mankading from the "Unfair Play" section of its playing conditions, clarifying its legal status. It suggests a shift towards accepting it as a legitimate tactic.

The Mankad debate goes beyond a simple "legal vs. illegal" argument. Mankad is a legitimate but one of the most controversial methods of dismissal in cricket. While it is within the game's laws, its use is often debated in terms of sportsmanship and the spirit of cricket. Whether Mankading is fair or unfair remains subjective, and its use continues to be a topic of discussion in the world of cricket and the governing laws.