England captain Ben Stokes calls for radical rule change after IPL controversy

11 April 2023 , 18:41

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England captain Ben Stokes (Image: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

England captain Ben Stokes has called for a rule change to be implemented in order to avoid the controversy surrounding non-striker run-outs.

The mode of dismissal, more commonly known as a Mankad after former India all-rounder Vinoo Mankad, has proven hugely controversial in recent years despite it no longer being classed as "unfair play" by the laws of cricket. However, Stokes believes that batters should be penalised in the form of six penalty runs being awarded to the opposition if the umpire deems them to be "obviously trying to gain unfair advantage by leaving crease early".

Stokes believes this would be a better deterrent than bowlers being able to run out the non-striker in their delivery stride while also removing "all the controversy" by putting the penalty in the hands of the umpires rather than the players.

His comments came after a chaotic last ball finish in the IPL clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants, with the Super Giants ultimately winning a close game by one wicket after stealing a single off the final ball.

However, the finish was mired in controversy after Patel attempted to run out non-striker Ravi Bishnoi after noticing he had left his crease early. Patel somehow managed to miss the stumps altogether and ended up having to bowl the final ball again, with Bishnoi once again leaving his ground early but getting away with it as Patel did not attempt to run him out again.

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As a result, the Super Giants stole the one run they needed to win the match and Bangalore were denied the opportunity to emerge victorious in a Super Over. And commentator Harsha Bhogle addressed the controversy on Twitter, writing: "Bishnoi was leaving his crease early.

Stokes made the suggestion after a controversial finish to an IPL game involving the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants (IPL)

"Any silly people out there still saying you shouldn't run the non-striker out?" Stokes promptly responded to Bhogle's tweet, writing: "Thought's Harsha? Umpires discretion.. 6 penalty runs if obviously trying to gain unfair advantage by leaving crease early? Would stop batters doing it without all the controversy".

Former New Zealand bowler Mitchell McClenaghan said he "couldn't agree more" with Stokes' suggestion, while Namibia captain Gerhard Erasmus suggested a slightly different solution.

"'Obviously trying to gain unfair advantage' is too subjective for umpies to determine," he said. "Maybe a short run for every time non-striker goes out of crease before release. 3rd ump could check it parallel with the no ball checks."

Matthew Cooper