Shreyas Iyer reveals how Ricky Ponting and himself convinced Ravichandran Ashwin to not to go for Mankad during the IPL tournament.
Iyer convinced Ashwin to avoid Mankad
On March 25, 2019, Ashwin, playing for Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) at the time, became the first bowler to ‘Mankad’ a batsman in the league when he dismissed Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler.
A season later, Ashwin moved to Shreyas Iyer-led and Ricky Ponting-coached Delhi Capitals. Before the start of the tournament, Ponting, while speaking to InsideSport, said that he had asked Ashwin not to Mankad.
“Although the Mankad is a very simple playing law in the game. It is one law I am not happy with and I am a part of the rules and law committee with the MCC. What we have to do is to stop batsmen from cheating which they tend to do in the death overs of the game,” Ponting had said.
That decision was really tough to make. Ricky and I were really adamant on saying that we are not going to do that. Ravichandran Ashwin just had to decide on what we decided.
He was like, ‘OK, I am going to stick to whatever you guys have decided and I am OK with it until and unless the batsman does something weird,” revealed Iyer.
Shreyas Iyer injured
The Delhi Capitals batsman injured his shoulder while fielding during the first ODI against England in March. The 26-year-old was ruled out of the IPL following the injury he sustained during the series against England.
In Iyer’s absence, flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant led the Capitals, who were perched atop the points table when the league was suspended due to multiple COVID-19 cases in its bio-bubble.
My shoulder, I think the healing process is done. Now it’s the last stage of achieving strength and range.
“So that’s going to take about a month, and the training is obviously going on. Other than that, I feel, I will be there in the IPL,” Iyer said while speaking on ‘The Grade Cricketer’ Podcast.
Under Iyer’s captaincy, the Delhi-based franchise had finished runners-up in 2020 edition of the league, that was also played in the UAE, losing to Mumbai Indians in the summit clash.
Asked if he would come back as captain of Delhi, Iyer said: “I don’t know about the captaincy. It’s in the hands of the owners. But the team has already been doing well, and we are on top, and that’s what really matters to me.
“My main goal is to lift the trophy, which Delhi has never done before,” the stylish batsman said.
Under Rishabh Pant’s captaincy, Delhi Capitals holds the top position in the IPL 2021 points table which postponed due to COVID19 fear. BCCI confirms to host the remaining of the IPL 2021 in UAE during September- October window.
