Team India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Mohammed Shami for running out Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka during the first ODI on Tuesday, January 10 in Guwahati. He argued that running out a batter at the non-striker end is a legitimate form of dismissal and the game situation shouldn’t be taken into account.
Mohammed Shami ran out Dasun Shanaka at the non-strike end in the final over of the first ODI. However, skipper Rohit Sharma had a discussion with the bowler and withdrew the appeal as Shanaka was close to a century, and Sri Lanka had almost lost the game. The Sri Lankan skipper was on 98 runs at that moment. He went to complete the century, as his team lost the game by 67 runs.
Rohit Sharma’s decision received a mixed reaction on social media from fans. While some lauded him, some criticized the Indian skipper for his decision. Team India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on his Youtube Channel said,
“Of course, Shami’s run out. When Shanaka was on 98, Shami ran him out in the non-striker’s end, and he appealed too. Rohit withdrew that appeal. So many people tweeted about that immediately. I am going to keep repeating only one thing, guys. The game situation is immaterial. That is a legitimate form of dismissal,
“And if you ask an lbw appeal or a caught-behind appeal, nobody will check with the captain on whether they are sure with the appeal like a Sarath Kumar or an Amitabh Bachchan in Kaun Banega Crorepati. They will give him out if the bowler appeals and that is the end of it. See, even if one fielder appeals, it is the duty of the umpire to declare a player out if he is out,” he added.
Different treatments for bowlers and batters have been taking place for so many years now: Ravichandran Ashwin
Team India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin further expressed that it is surprising to see so many taboos surrounding non-striker run-out. He stated that the right of making an appeal for dismissal should be with the bowler. Ashwin added that bowlers are treated differently than the batter for many years now. He said,
“I find it very surprising to have so many taboos surrounding this mode of dismissal. But the entire dismissal is regarding what the bowler does, right? The right of making that dismissal or making that appeal or making that decision lies with the bowler, right?”
“In so many games, a batter has nicked and walked without waiting for the umpire’s decision. At that time, the batting team captain won’t come and ask, “With whose permission did you walk like that? Did you forget the team’s cause? Go back and continue playing. So, these different treatments for bowlers and batters have been taking place for so many years now,” added Ashwin.
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