New Delhi: 'Mankad' is perhaps the most talked and controversial issue in world cricket lately. In Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019, Ravichandran Ashwin dislodged the bails as he found Jos Buttler short of the crease at non-striker's end during a match between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals.
It has been almost a year the 'Mankad' incident took the world cricket by storm. Now Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood wants to 'Mankad' Cheteshwar Pujara if he gets a chance during their four-match home Test series against India later this year.
In the recently concluded ICC U-19 World Cup in South Africa, Afghanistan bowler Noor Ahmad 'Mankaded' Pakistan's Mohammad Huraira which sparked yet another debate.
During the Australian Cricket Awards ceremony, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood was asked about which batsman he like to Mankad.
"I reckon I'll save that one for the next time ... at Pujara," Hazlewood said during an event.
Pujara was one of the consistent performers for India when they last visited Australia and Hazlewood feels Pujara's wicket will be the biggest of all.
"No definitely not. I probably see Pujara as the big wicket as far as when I'm bowling, the glue that holds them together I think. He's batted the most balls this series and scored nearly the most runs.
"I see Pujara as a big wicket and Ajinkya Rahane as well. So the Nos. 3, 4, 5 as the key wickets and we see it a bit unstable in the other parts of the order. Certainly, not all the focus is on Virat Kohli," Hazlewood added.
India will play their first day-night Test away from home during their tour of Australia at the end of this year.
Ashwin's decision to 'Mankad' Buttler in IPL 2019 split the cricket fraternity down the middle. While conservatives slammed Ashwin for taking 'advantage' of Buttler's innocence, the liberals found the criticism on the Indian cricketer ambiguous.
Many cricket pundits threw their weight behind Ashwin for the right execution of the rule as they said it was Buttler's job to stay firm at the crease until the bowler releases the ball. But, Buttler on his part left the crease even before Ashwin rolls his arm.
In cricket, Mankading is named after former India cricketer Vinoo Mankad, which is the informal name given to running out the non-striking batsman whilst he is backing up. The practice is perfectly legal within the Laws of Cricket but is often seen to be against the spirit of the game.
