Ashwin uses ‘Mankad’ incident to remind people to stay inside during lockdown

Trust Ravichandran Ashwin to come up with an innovative way to tell people to stay at home during the 21-day lockdown amid the coronavirus outbreak. Last year, a particular move by then Kings XI Punjab captain Ashwin was termed unprofessional and against the spirit of cricket.

Ashwin was reminded by fan that exactly a year ago, on March 25, he had dismissed Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler in the most unconventional way, using the ‘Mankad’. The Indian bowler had paused in the middle of his bowling and removed the bails off the non-strikers’ end as Buttler stepped out of the crease. The English batsman was given out.

While some opined that Ashwin was not wrong, many others, especially those in the cricketing fraternity thought it was a shady move.

However, Ashwin has managed to use the same incident to remind people during the lockdown to not wander off. The off-spinner asked everyone to “stay inside, stay safe!” 

“Hahaha, somebody sent me this and told me it’s exactly been 1 year since this run out happened. As the nation goes into a lockdown, this is a good reminder to my citizens. Don’t wander out. Stay inside, stay safe! #21DayLockdown,” he tweeted.

India was put under complete lockdown for 21 days starting Wednesday in an effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus which has infected over 560 people in the country. Only essential services are available and people have been advised to stay indoors and not step out unless necessary.