Ashwin Re-Enacts Mankad in Buttler’s Presence, Warns Shikhar Dhawan

image-lg3ymwotAshwin with his RR teammates Samson & Asif (AP Photo)

Ravichandran Ashwin, while facing the Punjab Kings in match number of eight of IPL 2023, re-created his infamous four-year-old mankad stance in Jos Buttler’s presence. Back in 2019, the ace Indian spinner had dismissed Buttler at the non-striker's end for backing up too far from the crease.

Interestingly, Ashwin was the captain of the Punjab side back then and his move against the Rajasthan Royals opener became a massive subject of controversy later on.


Ashwin warns Shikhar Dhawan in Buttler’s presence

Ashwin is currently representing the Rajasthan Royals side under Sanju Samson’s leadership alongside his English nemesis. In match number eight of IPL 2023, the legendary spinner warned current Punjab Kings captain Shikhar Dhawan for charging at the non-striker’s end.

Ashwin took a brief pause in his bowling stride, before returning to his mark to complete his over. Interestingly, the camera instantly panned towards his teammate Buttler who was fielding at the boundary.

Mankad warning aside, the spinner turned out to be Rajasthan Royals’ standout bowler of the innings as he conceded just 25 runs from his four-over spell. Meanwhile, the rest of his teammates struggled to control run-flow as Punjab Kings mounted 197-4.

Kings’ opener Dhawan, who was reprieved by his Indian teammate, went on to score an imperial 86* from just 56 balls. The dynamic left-handed opener smacked nine boundaries and three sixes in his innings and top-scored in his side’s first-innings effort.