What is Mankading in cricket? Learn its origins, how it works, ICC rules, famous incidents and why it causes controversy despite being legal.

What is Mankading in Cricket and Modern Cricket?

While cricket has evolved with innovations like DRS, impact player rule and powerplays, one form of dismissal that refuses to fade from controversy is ‘Mankading’ officially termed as ‘run out at the non-striker’s end’. The dismissal, legal as per the MCC laws, has divided players, experts and fans alike especially when it unfolds in crunch moments of high-stakes matches.

Mankading is a form of dismissal in which a bowler is legally allowed to run out the batter at non striker's end if he/she is backing up a lot (leaving the crease early) before the bowler has released the delivery from his bowling hand by knocking off the bails. 

While, this form of dismissal is completely legal in the laws of cricket, it is often debated to be unsportsmanlike by the bowler and against the unwritten ethics, and morality of the game also referred to as the ‘Spirit of Cricket”. 

The term Mankading was coined after, legendary Indian bowler Vinoo Mankad was the first player to dismiss a batter using this form of dismissal back in 1947. While, Mankading is a legally expected mode of dismissal, in modern cricket its official term has been changed to “run out at non striker’s end”. 

Origin of the Term "Mankading"

The term "Mankading" finds its roots in a historic moment that took place during India’s tour of Australia in 1947-48. Indian all-rounder Vinoo Mankad ran out Australian batter Bill Brown at the non-striker’s end after noticing him repeatedly leaving the crease before the ball was delivered. Although Mankad had already warned Brown once during a tour game, the second time he chose to remove the bails, and the batter was ruled out.

While Vinoo Mankad was simply enforcing the laws of the game, the incident didn’t sit well with many in the cricketing world, particularly in Australia. Despite being within his rights, Mankad faced criticism from sections of the media and even some former players who believed the act was not in line with the “spirit of the game.” However, cricketing greats like Don Bradman came out in support of Mankad, stating that the batter had no right to leave the crease early and that the bowler had every right to run him out.

Over the years, this form of dismissal has come to be known by the name “Mankading”. Vinoo Mankad’s family fought and won a legal battle to remove Mankad’s name from the official scorecards and the law since then describes it as “run out at the non striker’s end”. However, in the worldwide cricket lingo, media and fans continue to use the term ‘Mankading’ to describe the dismissal. 

ICC Rulebook on Mankading

The ICC rulebook on Mankading has been evolving since the moment the dismissal first happened in World of cricket there have been various changes being made to the law. 

According to the laws of cricket governed by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and enforced by the ICC, Mankading is completely legal. Law 38.3 of the MCC Laws of Cricket, revised in 2022, states: “If the non-striker is out of his/her ground at any time from the moment the ball comes into play until the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the non-striker is liable to be run out.”
 

This wording removes ambiguity, making it clear that bowlers are within their rights to dismiss a non-striker who is trying to steal a few extra inches or gain an unfair advantage.

Importantly, until 2022, this dismissal was included under “Unfair Play” in the Laws of Cricket, which further fuelled the idea that the act was against the ethics of the game. However, in a landmark rule change in October 2022, the MCC moved this form of dismissal to the “Run Out” section, reinforcing its legitimacy and attempting to strip it of the stigma it carried for decades.

Previously, in 2017, “Bowler attempting to run out non-striker before delivery” was replaced with “Non-striker leaving their ground early” in order to put the “onus on the non-striker to remain in their ground.” 

In 2017-18, the ICC Officials’ Almanac (ICC’s interpretation of Laws), “This meant that as the bowler’s back foot landed, the non-striker could move down the wicket a considerable way before the bowler actually delivered the ball. This was considered unfair,” but then it was reformed and made it that  “at any point before he releases the ball provided he has not completed his delivery swing.”

How Mankading Happens (Step-by-Step)

To understand how Mankading unfolds during a cricket match, here's a step-by-step breakdown of how this dismissal is executed:

• As the bowler begins their run-up, the non-striker backs up, often to gain a head start for a potential run. If they step out of the crease too early, they become vulnerable.

• The bowler, mid-run-up or just before delivery, observes the non-striker leaving the crease early.

• Instead of completing the delivery, the bowler stops in their tracks and turns to remove the bails at the non-striker’s end.

• After the bails are dislodged, the fielding team appeals to the umpire, claiming a run-out at the non-striker’s end.

• The on-field or third umpire checks if the non-striker had left the crease before the expected moment of delivery. If yes, the batter is given out.

• While, the umpires check is ongoing, the fielding captain is well within his rights to withdraw the appeal even if the batter is out. If the captain decides to withdraw then the batter remains not out. 

Notable Mankading Incidents in Cricket

Over the years, Mankading has flared up in various forms across formats and levels of the game from domestic fixtures to high-profile World Cup matches. Here are some of the most talked-about Mankading incidents in cricket history:

Vinoo Mankad vs Bill Brown (1947)

The very first and the most iconic incident, where Indian bowler Vinoo Mankad dismissed Australian batter Bill Brown, sparking a decades-long debate that led to the birth of the term itself.

Kapil Dev vs Peter Kirsten (1992)

During an ODI between India and South Africa, Indian skipper Kapil Dev famously ran out Peter Kirsten at the non-striker’s end, having already issued a prior warning. It led to heated exchanges and added fuel to the controversy surrounding Mankading. 

Ravichandran Ashwin vs Lahiru Thirimanne (2012)

Back in 2012, in an ODI match between India and Sri Lanka, Indian offie Ravichandran Ashwin knocked over Lahiru Thirimanne’s bails at the non striker’s end as Thirimanne was backing up. MS Dhoni was unavailable for the match and Virender Sehwag was the stand in keeper. Thirimanne was miles down the pitch when Ashwin knocked his bails over. Virender Sehwag was about to appeal but then Sachin Tendulkar intervened and convinced the team not to go through with the appeal. Thirimanne stayed not out. 

Ravichandran Ashwin vs Jos Buttler (IPL 2019)

Perhaps the most high-profile and widely debated Mankading in modern cricket occurred during the 2019 Indian Premier League. Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler was dismissed by Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin. The move was met with outrage and applause in equal measure. While Ashwin defended his actions, critics accused him of breaching the “spirit of cricket.”

Keemo Paul vs Richard Ngarava (U19 World Cup 2016)

In a must-win match at the U19 World Cup, West Indies bowler Keemo Paul mankaded Zimbabwe's Richard Ngarava, sealing the win and sending the Caribbean team to the quarter-finals. Though legal, the dismissal raised ethical questions due to the high stakes involved.

Mankading, Controversy, and the Spirit of the Game

Mankading is an extremely polarising way of getting a batter out despite being completely legal. It has been well established that there’s no legal wrong in this form of dismissal. However, the only question mark that arises is that is it in the Spirit of the Game? 
 

The critics of Mankad have always vilified any bowler who has attempted to run a batter out at the non striker’s end. Their debates broadly range around how dismissing a batter not actively involved in the line of play of the ball is in breach of the unspoken ethics and morality that surround the game of cricket.  There’s an unwritten and unspoken mode of conduct that players are expected to follow while playing the Gentleman’s game. Critics argue that instead of plainly knocking over the bails, the bowler should first give a batsman warning against backing up. 

On the contrary, the bowlers and the defenders of “Mankading” debate that if it is legal then there shouldn’t be any problem with the form of dismissal.  Additionally, they counter the spirit of the game argument by suggesting that a batter backing up and trying to gain an undue advantage is also against the spirit of the game. Another counter argument being pushed is if a bowler oversteps from the crease, he/she is penalised via a no ball and the batter is awarded a free hit. The same should apply to the batsmen. 

Rule Changes and Evolving Perception of Mankading (Post-2022)

A significant shift in the perception of Mankading came in 2022, when the MCC officially moved this form of dismissal from the "Unfair Play" section to the standard "Run Out" section in the Laws of Cricket. This change was not just symbolic but carried a clear message: Mankading is fair play, just like any other run out.

The update was aimed at normalising the dismissal and reducing the stigma around bowlers who choose to execute it. Since then, players, coaches and analysts have gradually started to view Mankading through a more balanced lens.

With various top bowlers in Ravichandran Ashwin, Mitchell Johnson, Shane Warne all having supported “Mankading” over the years, the perception around the dismissal still remains polarising. There’s still an unspoken rule which teams usually, have is to warn players and then if it still continues then knock them over while some teams don’t prefer to Mankad at all. 

The ICC has taken a neutral stance, reinforcing that it’s up to teams and players to decide how they want to approach this form of dismissal.