Ashwin's Playful Mankad Remark Creates Social Media Stir
Indian spin veteran Ravichandran Ashwin sparked amusement on social media platform X with a light-hearted comment about potentially 'Mankading' South African all-rounder Marco Jansen. The exchange began when Ashwin praised Jansen's exceptional performance in the ongoing second Test match in Guwahati, calling him a "serious talent" with "long levers" that give him an amazing bat swing.
When a user questioned whether Jansen's physical attributes would make him difficult to Mankad, Ashwin delivered the punchline: "It's easier to." This response immediately went viral among cricket fans, recalling Ashwin's controversial 2019 IPL dismissal of Jos Buttler using the same method.
What Exactly is Mankading?
The term 'Mankading' refers to the rare form of dismissal where a bowler runs out the non-striker before delivering the ball if the batsman has left the crease prematurely. This controversial tactic is informally named after Indian legend Vinoo Mankad, who first executed it against Australia way back in 1947.
Ashwin himself became central to the Mankading debate during the 2019 IPL season while playing for Punjab Kings, when he dismissed Rajasthan Royals' Jos Buttler without bowling the delivery, creating one of the biggest talking points of that tournament.
Jansen's Spectacular All-Round Performance
The context of Ashwin's humorous remark makes it even more significant given Marco Jansen's outstanding display in the ongoing Test. On day two of the match, the South African all-rounder played a blistering innings of 93 runs off just 91 balls, helping the Proteas reach a massive first innings total of 489.
Jansen wasn't done yet. On day three, he produced a devastating spell of fast bowling that completely dismantled the Indian batting lineup. His final figures of 6 wickets for 48 runs represented career-best performance and put South Africa in complete command of the match.
Historic Series Victory Within South Africa's Grasp
After winning the first Test in Kolkata, South Africa now stands on the verge of creating history. The Proteas are closing in on their first series victory in India since the year 2000, when Hansie Cronje's team achieved this remarkable feat.
Despite having India on the ropes, South Africa opted not to enforce the follow-on after securing a substantial 288-run first innings lead. The decision to bat again on day three in Guwahati shows their strategic approach to securing what would be a landmark series win against India in their home conditions.
Jansen's emergence as a genuine all-round threat has been one of the standout stories of this series, with his performances earning praise from opponents and experts alike. His combination of aggressive batting and penetrative bowling has provided South Africa with the balance needed to compete effectively in Indian conditions.
