T20 World Cup 2024

‘I don’t like to get bowled’- Ravichandran Ashwin tells opponents of Non-striker Run-out

Deepti Sharma running out Charlotte Dean at the non-striker’s end for taking an unfair advantage, began a debate that still continues to go on. Many claim it to be against the spirit of the game while many see it as an absolute necessity. The Governing Body for International cricket also moved this form of dismissal from the ‘unfair section’ to the run-out category.

Ravi Ashwin who ran Jos Butler out in an Indian T20 League match has been a massive proponent of this form of dismissal and it is quite often that he is asked about the form of dismissal in his press conferences. The right-arm bowler when asked about the same ahead of India’s match with Zimbabwe said, “Honestly, I would also not like to get out like that. Just because I don’t like doesn’t mean I cannot get out like that. Nobody likes getting out, I do not like being knicked off, bowled, LBW, or run out. Likewise, I would also not like to get run out at the non-striker’s end.”

“It is a form of a dismissal and it is legal. There are many arguments regarding that. Like with anything else in this world, people are going to have contradictory thoughts. Whether you want to do it or not, it is absolutely fine. It is good to know that some people won’t do it, because you can run at the last minute and wait. It is good, people are going to come and say they won’t do it, as a cricketer, I’ll use that to my advantage,” Ashwin said.

I think even the experts are learning from India’s games- Ravi Ashwin

On India’s journey in the 20-20 World Cup so far he said, “We have not reached here easily (laughs). We have had quite tricky games against Bangladesh and Pakistan. These games went down to the wire. I think even people watching the game, giving their expert opinion on the game are still learning because the game is decided by such small margins.”

“The experts themselves feel they are catching up with the game seeing how it has evolved. So, it would be unfair to say that the team has not stepped up or the team is not looking at its best. It is about how one performs on the day and how are you going to counter a bowler who has bowled a good over. You cannot nail it down and say a team has not played good cricket or wonderful cricket. T20 cricket is standing on small margins so to make any reviews, I would just say that make a review after the game,” Ashwin concluded.