The Mankad Debate: Law vs Spirit in Cricket
Running out the non-striker backing up — long known as a Mankad — is now formally a run out under the Laws but remains one of cricket's most debated actions in the context of the Spirit of Cricket.
A Mankad — named after Indian bowler Vinoo Mankad, who ran out Australian non-striker Bill Brown at the bowler's end in 1947 without releasing the ball — refers to a bowler removing the bails at the non-striker's end before delivery, dismissing a non-striker who has left their crease early. It is a legitimate dismissal under the Laws but has long divided opinion on whether it violates the Spirit of Cricket.
The 2022 Law Change
In October 2022, the MCC made a significant revision to the Laws. Historically, a Mankad dismissal appeared under Law 41 (Unfair Play), implying it carried a stigma of unsporting behaviour. The 2022 revision moved the dismissal to Law 38 (Run Out), treating it as a standard method of dismissal on equal footing with any other run out. The MCC stated clearly that the action is fair and within the Laws.
The Ongoing Debate
Despite the law change, opinion remains divided. Critics argue that the game has an implicit understanding that a bowler will not run out the non-striker without warning — that convention is part of cricket's unwritten code. Supporters argue that a batter leaving the crease early gains an unfair advantage and that running them out is a proportionate and legitimate response. Several high-profile Mankad incidents — including Ravichandran Ashwin's dismissal of Jos Buttler in the IPL 2019 — have kept the debate alive.
What Players and Teams Do Today
At the elite level, most bowlers warn a non-striker before attempting the dismissal — giving them the chance to correct their backing-up. Some captains instruct their bowlers never to use the method, prioritising the relationship with opponents over the tactical gain. Others, particularly in high-stakes limited-overs cricket, are willing to use it without warning when a non-striker consistently leaves early.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Mankad a legal dismissal?
Yes. Since the 2022 MCC Law revision, it is classified as a run out under Law 38 and is fully legal. The dismissal is no longer listed under unfair play.
Why was the dismissal called a Mankad?
The term comes from Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad, who ran out Australian Bill Brown in 1947 while Brown was backing up at the non-striker's end. The name has now been removed from the Laws, though it remains widely used in conversation.