'They don't know the rule': Ashwin Clears the Air After Being Warned for Leaving Crease Early

R Ashwin, known for his strong stance on the 'Mankad' dismissal, recently found himself at the center of a controversy during a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match. The incident occurred in a game between Dindugal Dragons and Nellai Royal Kings, where Ashwin, playing for the Dragons, was warned by the bowler for leaving the non-striker's crease too early.

The incident took place in the 15th over when Ashwin was backing up at the non-striker's end. The bowler, noticing Ashwin stepping out of the crease, stopped mid-run-up to issue a warning. Replays showed that Ashwin's bat was initially inside the crease but slid just onto the line before he quickly returned to the crease. The moment sparked a discussion among fans and commentators about the rules governing such situations.

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R Ashwin reacts to being warned at the non-striker's end

In response to the incident, Ashwin took to social media to defend his actions. He replied to a post on X (formerly Twitter) that discussed the situation, pointing out that even if the bowler had dislodged the bails, he would not have been out according to the rules. Ashwin shared a screenshot of an old version of the cricket law concerning run outs at the non-striker's end. 

The law, known as Law 38.3, states: "At any time from the moment the ball comes into play until the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the non-striker is liable to be run out if he/she is out of his/her ground."

Ashwin added a comment, "they don't know the rule," accompanied by a laughing emoji, emphasizing that the bowler's warning was unnecessary as he was still within the rules. This incident highlights the ongoing debate over the 'Mankad' dismissal and the responsibility of non-strikers to remain within their crease until the ball is released.

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The debate around the 'Mankad' dismissal, where a bowler can run out a non-striker for leaving the crease before the ball is bowled, has been a contentious issue in cricket. Ashwin has been a vocal advocate for this method, arguing that it is within the rules and prevents non-strikers from gaining an unfair advantage.