R Ashwin calls for introduction of “free ball” for instances of non-striker leaving the crease early

Premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his disagreement over the suggestion made by former India batsman turned commentator, Sanjay Manjrekar, who had called for the removal of free-hit after a no-ball in the white-ball versions of the game.

On every instance a bowler oversteps or delivers any kind of no-ball in contemporary limited-overs cricket, the delivery isn’t just deemed illegal with the addition of a run to the batting team’s kitty, the bowler also has to bowl a ‘free-hit’ the following ball where if not run-out, a batsman can’t be dismissed.

However, many believe the ‘free-hit’ is unfair towards the bowler and the fielding team as no-balls don’t occur regularly and most no-balls are marginal.

Manjrekar stressed about the unfairness of the ‘free-hit’ for bowlers in a piece for Hindustan Times which he shared over Twitter, later asking for views from fans and followers.

In response, R Ashwin noted that the ‘free-hit’ is still a “great marketing tool and has captured the imagination of the fans”. R Ashwin instead called for the introduction of a ‘free ball’, which would be in play for the bowlers every time a batsman leaves the non-striker’s end before the ball is delivered.

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R Ashwin (pic courtesy Twitter)

R Ashwin calls for introduction of “free ball” for instances of non-striker leaving the crease early

Infamous for running out Jos Buttler at the non-striker’s end during IPL 2019, R Ashwin has always stood his ground firm amidst criticism for it and has been a longstanding advocator of the controversial mode of dismissal.

Even though integral to the ICC laws, the act of running out the non-striker is considered unethical by many people, who believe it is against the ‘spirit of the game’. Never have they questioned how fair it is for the batsman involved to gain an unfair advantage in his quest to get across the other end.

And so, in his latest iteration about the run-out at the non-striker’s end, R Ashwin suggested a way that would level up the game for bowlers, calling for the reduction of 10 runs from the “bowlers analysis and (opposition) total.”

“Come on @sanjaymanjrekar, free hit is a great marketing tool and has captured the imagination of all the fans,” R Ashwin wrote. “Let’s add a free ball for the bowlers every time a batter leaves the non strikers end early, a wicket of that ball will reduce 10 runs of the bowlers analysis and total.”

“Remember: you are supposed to leave the crease only after the ball leaves the hand,” he added in another tweet.

Remember: “you are supposed to leave the crease only after the ball leaves the hand”

— Mask up and take your vaccine (@ashwinravi99) May 28, 2021