The Mankad Dismissal: Running Out the Non-Striker Backing Up
What the Mankad dismissal is — when a bowler runs out a non-striker who has backed up too far before the ball is delivered, the history of the controversy (Vinoo Mankad running out Bill Brown in 1947), the 2022 law change that reclassified it as a run-out (removing the 'spirit of cricket' stigma), current practice at international level, and why the dismissal is increasingly accepted and used in professional cricket.
The Law
Under Law 41.16 (previously covered under Laws 38 and 42), a bowler may run out the non-striker during the delivery stride if the non-striker has left their crease before the ball is delivered. The non-striker backing up from the bowler's end before the ball is released is moving outside their crease — if the bowler removes the bails at the bowler's end before releasing the ball, the non-striker is dismissed run-out. The non-striker must be behind the popping crease (the batting crease at the bowler's end) until the bowler has released the ball — leaving the crease early provides an unfair head start for running. The 2022 revision of the Laws moved this dismissal from 'unfair play' (Law 42) to the 'run-out' category (Law 38), removing the implication that it was contrary to the spirit of cricket.
The 1947 Incident and Controversy
The dismissal is named after Vinoo Mankad, the Indian all-rounder who ran out Australian batsman Bill Brown at the non-striker's end during the 1947 India-Australia series. Mankad had warned Brown during the match about backing up too far before dismissing him — the dismissal was considered unsporting by Australian media and much of the cricket world, despite being entirely legal. The term 'Mankad' became cricket's shorthand for an act that was technically legal but ethically questionable. For 75 years after the 1947 incident, most bowlers who ran out non-strikers this way were condemned regardless of the legal status, and the practice was rare at international level specifically because of the reputational cost.
The 2022 Change and Modern Practice
The ICC's 2022 revision moving the Mankad to the 'run-out' category signals a shift in cricket's position on the dismissal. By classifying it as a standard run-out rather than an 'unfair play' matter, the ICC effectively endorsed the dismissal as legitimate strategy rather than a spirit-of-cricket violation. Several high-profile Mankad dismissals in recent years have been upheld without significant controversy: Deepti Sharma (India) running out Charlotte Dean (England) in a 2022 ODI, and multiple IPL and domestic instances. The shift in commentary has been notable — while older cricket media still sometimes characterises Mankads as poor sportsmanship, younger analysts and players increasingly accept it as a legitimate tactic against non-strikers who gain unfair advantage by backing up too far.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mankad now called something different?
In the Laws of Cricket (2022 edition), the dismissal is now classified as a 'run-out' under Law 38 — it is not separately named in the Laws. However, the term 'Mankad' remains widely used in cricket commentary, broadcasting, and writing. It is occasionally described as 'running out the non-striker' in more formal or recent contexts. The ICC and most cricket authorities use 'run out (non-striker)' in official scorecards and records. The name 'Mankad' is so deeply embedded in cricket terminology that it is unlikely to disappear from common use regardless of the formal reclassification.
How far does a non-striker need to back up to be at risk of a Mankad?
A non-striker who has any part of their foot, bat, or body outside the popping crease before the ball is delivered is legally at risk of a Mankad dismissal. In practice, most non-strikers back up a short distance during the bowler's delivery stride — this is normal and expected (they are readying themselves to run). The relevant moment is when the bowler's front foot lands in the delivery stride: if the non-striker has left the crease at that point, they are vulnerable. A non-striker who backs up excessively (2-3 metres out of the crease before the ball is released) is gaining a clear unfair advantage; one who simply leaves at the normal moment of the bowler's release is arguably within the spirit of the game even if marginally outside the crease.
Has any batsman been dismissed Mankad in a World Cup final?
No Mankad dismissal has occurred in an ICC World Cup final or a World Test Championship final as of 2025. The dismissal remains rare at the highest levels of international cricket — while it has become more accepted in principle, the reputational history means most international bowlers only attempt it in clear cases of egregious backing-up rather than as a routine tactic. Domestic T20 league cricket (IPL, BBL, WPL) has seen more instances as younger players who grew up under the 2022 laws accept the dismissal more readily than previous generations. The first ICC major final Mankad dismissal would likely generate significant media discussion regardless of its legality.