Ashwin 'mankads' Buttler, says it was instinctive

Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin mankaded Rajasthan Royals' Jos Buttler and social media broke into a frenzy. Post match Ashwin said, "No argument to that, it was pretty instinctive. I didn't even load and he (Buttler) left the crease. It has always been my take on it, because it's my half of the crease."

Ravichandran Ashwin mankads Jos Buttler.

Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin mankaded Jos Buttler of Rajasthan Royals, who was going hammer and tongs, sparked off a controversy and set social media ablaze.

Ashwin, who was bowling his fourth over, saw Buttler, who had scored 68 off 42 balls with 10 fours and two sixes, walking out of his crease even before the ball was delivered and stopped to take the bails off.

However, replays showed Buttler was inside his crease when Ashwin stopped in his stride.

Later, in the post match presentation, Ashwin said, "No argument to that, it was pretty instinctive. I didn't even load and he (Buttler) left the crease. It has always been my take on it, because it's my half of the crease. We ended on the right side of it but those things are game-changers and batsmen need to be wary of it."

"I don't understand where the spirit of the play comes in this," added Ashwin during the post match press conference.

As the RR vs KXIP match happened

The decision was referred to the third umpire, who eventually ruled Buttler out. A visibly upset Buttler walked off unhappy and was furious at the opponent's action.

This is the first time a player is out in this fashion in the IPL.

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

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

He ain't winning any spirit of cricket awards is old ashwin

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 25, 2019

Oh hell! Ashwin's run Butler out for backing up too far. Within the laws, but outside the spirt of the game. Unless the batsman had been cautioned earlier. We'll know about that later. For now, Punjab get coveted breakthru and the IPL its first major controversy this season

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 25, 2019

If @josbuttler had been warned well that's fine ... if he hasn't and it's the first time I think @ashwinravi99 is completely out of order ... watch how often this happens from now on !!!!!!! #IPL

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 25, 2019

Ashwin mankaded the Rajasthan Royals opener without giving him any warning.

Incidentally this is not the first time Buttler is out mankading. He was out in a similar fashion in 2014 when Sri Lanka's Sachitra Senanayake dismissed him in an ODI in England.

However, this is not the first time Ashwin has whipped the bails off at the non-striker's end. In 2012, Ashwin had mankaded Lahiru Thirimanne of Sri Lanka during the Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia.

The standing umpires Paul Reiffel and Billy Bowden, after a lengthy discussion asked India if it wanted to reconsider the appeal. India skipper Virender Sehwag told them that Ashwin had warned Thirimanne before running him out. However Mahela Jayawardene, then Sri Lanka captain, said he was not aware of the warning.

Sehwag decided to withdraw the appeal later.