Harshal Patel welcomes MCC's new rules regarding Mankading

The updated law by MCC has been accepted by most of the cricketing fraternity, including the Indian pacer Harshal Patel.

Harshal Patel file photo, Image Credits: Facebook/ICC
By Shurti Banerjee | Mar 16, 2022 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The updated law by MCC has been accepted by most of the cricketing fraternity, including the Indian pacer Harshal Patel. The law is regarding the permanent ban of saliva to shine the cricket ball, no more crossing ends during dismissal and the green light to run a batsman out at the non-striker’s end for backing up too much as well which was also known as the ‘Mankad’ mode of dismissal as well.

However, the incident of bowlers running out a non-striker for walking down the pitch before the ball has been delivered has seen the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ debate. And, R Ashwin’s dismissal of Jos Buttler during 2019 IPL is one such example and since then, this mode of dismissal has mostly been a controversial one. However, finally, with the MCC legalising it, no more debate will be there.

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And, now RCB’s Harshal Patel is happier with the new amendments. “I can’t say much about the saliva thing because I haven’t played a lot of red-ball cricket in the last two years. But yeah, if you are playing in cold conditions, people who don’t sweat, what are they going to do? How are they going to shine the ball? So that question remains to be answered for sure. And the Mankad thing, I felt it was a very absurd thing for us to discuss as a cricketing community because if it’s in the rule book how can it be against the spirit of the game?” Harshal replied to a query from The Hindustan Times.

Harshal Patel also provided an example to prove his stance. During the 2019 World Cup final between England and New Zealand, which was going towards a nail-biting finish, the ball deflected off a diving Ben Stokes’ bat and England got four runs. Even as Stokes raised both his arms in the air, almost as if pleading he is not guilty, it also became a questionable call but that helped England become World Champions as well.

“I feel like I have all the building blocks of a good T20 bowler or any format for that matter” – Harshal Patel

“Let me give you an example. People say you shouldn’t run after a throw hits the bat. Did you do it on purpose? No. But say, if you’re playing the World Cup final, and you need a run to win and the ball deflects off the bat, are you not going to run? If you’re not and stay consistent in that situation, then it’s ok, that’s your call, but I will always run because I play to win and do it within the laws of the game. If the laws allow me to do something, I will definitely do it,” mentioned Harshal Patel.

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“All I can do is I can showcase the skill of batting during the practice games. That’s how I got the role of the death bowler earlier. I do feel I am under-utilised as a batter and have more to offer. If I can show something spectacular ahead of the tournament and the management sees that they can utilise me in certain situations, I will be very happy to subject myself to those,” further added Harshal.

“I feel like I have all the building blocks of a good T20 bowler or any format for that matter. I want to get tighter, accurate, and consistent with my execution because I have been playing the game at the professional level for the past 12 years. So, I understand and read the game and situation well. I have my strengths and weaknesses. I will continue to add different dimensions to my skillset. Like utilising angles or maybe developing another slower ball, which I can add to my armoury. Mentally, I want to be more consistent in thought. I believe consistency in action will bring about consistency in the result. I want to continue to live by the idea,” Harshal Patel concluded.





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