Understanding Mankading in Cricket
In the realm of cricket, 'mankading' refers to a dismissal method where the bowler runs out the non-striker if they leave the crease before the ball is bowled. This term is derived from Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad, who famously executed this tactic during a Test match in 1947. The legality of this dismissal has sparked ongoing debates, with many arguing that while it is within the rules, it contradicts the spirit of the game.
Digvesh Rathi's Controversial Mankad Attempt
During the IPL 2025 match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Ekana Cricket Stadium, the contentious issue of mankading resurfaced. As RCB chased a challenging target of 228, they were bolstered by a strong partnership between Jitesh Sharma and Mayank Agarwal. Under pressure, LSG's Digvesh Rathi attempted a mankad on Jitesh, halting his run-up to dislodge the bails.
The third umpire reviewed the incident and ruled the batter not out, explaining that Rathi had completed his bowling action before attempting the run-out. According to cricket laws, such a dismissal must occur prior to the bowler's delivery stride, ensuring RCB's batter was safe.
Virat Kohli's Frustration on the Field
The incident ignited strong reactions, particularly from Virat Kohli, who was visibly frustrated as he watched from the sidelines. The former RCB captain expressed his displeasure towards the fielding team, clearly upset by the disruption and the shift in momentum it caused.
With seven wins at home and away, Royal Challengers Bengaluru is set to compete in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 against Punjab Kings.
