Xtra Time Web Desk: Rajasthan Royals batsman Josh Buttler on Wednesday said he was really disappointed with the manner he was dismissed by Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin during the fourth match of IPL 2019 at Jaipur.
The England batsman in his first reaction to ESPNCricinfo said, “At the time I was really disappointed with it. I didn’t like the style of it. I just thought it was a bad precedent at the start of the tournament. For the tournament itself. It was a really disappointing way to start the tournament.
He continued, “So, I didn’t like what happened and I didn’t agree with it, but what can you do? After a day or so I was pretty relaxed about it and I’ll make sure it never happens again. It won’t happen again.”
The English batsman also confessed that the incident distracted him in the next couple of games. “What was more disappointing is that suddenly, over the next two games, I found myself being really conscious of it and it is quite distracting,” Buttler said.
The Rajasthan Royals opener feels the need for more clarity in the laws of the game. “Of course a Mankading has to be in the Laws of the game because a batsman can’t just run halfway down the pitch trying to get a headstart. But I do think, the way the law is written, there is a bit of a grey area in that saying ‘when a bowler is expected to release the ball’. That is a bit of a wishy-washy statement.”
Buttler was looking to get his team over the line while chasing KXIP’s target of 185. However, during the final ball of the 13th over Kings XI Punjab captain Ravichandran Ashwin mankaded him, paving the way for a mini collapse for the hosts. Subsequently, RR lost the plot and ended up losing the match by 14 runs.