Pandya on ‘Mankading’: To hell with spirit of game

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is extremely clear in his view about how the run out of the batter, backing up far at the non-end, striker’s should be interpreted: “To heck with the spirit of the game, we need to stop making a fuss about this.”

These dismissals are now referred to as “run out” by the ICC, and they are no longer included in the “unfair play” category of its rule book.

The new playing condition rules from the ICC were effective on October 1.

The argument goes on regardless of whether these expulsions violate the “spirit of the game.” When Deepti Sharma gave India a historic 3-0 clean sweep in the women’s ODI series in England last month by running out Charlie Dean at the non-end striker’s for leaving her crease too early, the problem gained a lot of attention.

“We should quit fussing about this (running out at non-end),” striker’s she said. That is all there is to the rule. In the ICC Review Podcast, which was taped before to the start of the ongoing T20 World Cup in Australia, Pandya declared, “To hell with the spirit of the game.”

“Remove the rule if it’s there; it’s that simple. When asked how he views changes in regulations and strategies, he responded, “The ones who have problems, good for them, that is fine.

“As for running out for backing up too far at the non-end, striker’s I personally have no issues with it. It is my fault if I am walking out of the crease and someone runs me out. He (the bowler who runs him out) is taking advantage of the regulation; it’s okay, nothing to worry about. Pandya, who was instrumental in India’s thrilling four-wicket victory over Pakistan in their T20 World Cup opening game, claimed that certain opposing player pairings do not work in the shortest format.