Jos Buttler was livid after he was Mankaded by R Ashwin for 69 in Rajasthan Royals’ opening match of the 2019 Indian Premier League against Kings XI Punjab in Jaipur on Monday. Opinions were immediately divided in the commentary box. Matthew Hayden said Ashwin’s act was ‘very, very disappointing’ while Harsha Bhogle argued it was within the rules of the game.
Buttler, who looked set for his maiden IPL hundred, walked off and was far from pleased with what happened. RR fans at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur went berserk but that noise might have been part of a roaring reception for Steve Smith who walked in to bat at the fall of Buttler’s wicket.
Buttler was in red-hot form for Royals in 2018 when he scored 548 runs from 13 matches with a best of 95 not out and he got off to a fiery start in the new season. Chasing 185, Buttler and Ajinjya Rahane charged away to 78 for the opening wicket before Rahane fell to R Ashwin on the first ball of the ninth over. However, Buttler continued to bully the KXIP attack and scored his first ever hundred in the T20 format.
Rajasthan Royals were cruising along when it all unfolded in the 13th over. Ashwin Mankaded Buttler and appealed immediately. Jos Buttler was seething with rage but he had to walk off after replays confirmed Buttler was short of the crease. It looked like Ashwin stopped in his bowling action and maybe even waited for Buttler to leave his crease. The third umpire ruled Buttler out and he was on his way to the RR dugout.
The cricket world soon took to twitter to
#AskStar being captain ashwin should not do such dismissal .This is against the cricket sprite 👎👎 pic.twitter.com/xrYknHliGO
— Chowkidar Nitin Tripathi (@NitinTr81906338) March 25, 2019
England’s limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan said he could not believe what he saw and reckoned Ashwin will regret his decision.
I can’t believe what I’m seeing!! @IPL Terrible example to set for young kids coming through. In time I think Ashwin will regret that.
— Eoin Morgan (@Eoin16) March 25, 2019
Ashwin, that’s shocking behaviour! Very disappointed to see that.
— Jason Roy (@JasonRoy20) March 25, 2019
Disgraceful behaviour by @ashwinravi99 – Buttler was still in the crease as he began to deliver the ball. Hate seeing this, what a terrible example to kids. #IPL #Ashwin https://t.co/qGYUgZnrIe
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 25, 2019
It’s within the laws of the game but Jos Butler should have been warned by Ashwin before that. Very Surprised ! Remember Ashwin doing the same in an international game where Sehwag withdrew the appeal.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) March 25, 2019
He ain’t winning any spirit of cricket awards is old ashwin
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 25, 2019
Law is above The Mythical Spirit of The Game. Don’t fret. Don’t frown. #Ashwin #Buttler #RRvKXIP #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 25, 2019
