IPL 2019: Rajasthan Royals coach Upton lashes out at Ashwin

Jaipur, March 26: A livid Rajasthan Royals coach Paddy Upton said Ravichandran Ashwin's 'Mankading' of Jos Buttler in the Indian Premier League (IPL) clash is a "representation" of the kind of person that the senior India spinner is.

In a first in 12 editions of the IPL, Kings XI Punjab captain Ashwin ran out a rampaging Buttler, who was at the non-strikers' end, on his delivery stride in the 13th over, an action popularly known as 'Mankading'.

TV replays showed that Ashwin had waited to let Buttler move out of the crease before removing the bails.

While Ashwin was well within his rights as per ICC's rule 41.16, according to which even a warning to the batsman is not necessary, the incident has sparked a fresh debate on 'Spirit of Cricket'.

Though Ashwin defended his action later, Upton was quite critical of him.

"It's within the rules" – @ashwinravi99
"Up to the fans to decide if that's the kind of things they want to see" – @PaddyUpton1

Reactions after a controversial #RRvKXIP #IPL game 👇https://t.co/nFkMTJxBgC

— ICC (@ICC) March 26, 2019

"It was instinctive and not planned" – @ashwinravi99 is holding his ground on the controversial run-out of Jos Buttler last night at #IPL #RRvKXIP. pic.twitter.com/VizD6du8RZ

— ICC (@ICC) March 26, 2019

"I think R Ashwin's action speak for him and represent him when I looked up to the eyes of his team-mates," a livid Upton said in the post-match press conference.

Incidentally, Upton was the mental conditioning coach of the World Cup-winning 2011 side of which Ashwin was also a part.

An angry Upton also had an animated interaction with Ashwin during the customary handshake at the end of the match.

PADDY UPTON: "Dumbledore and Grindelwald had an intense sexual relationship"

RAVI ASHWIN: pic.twitter.com/dUMCtS9wXZ

— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) March 25, 2019

"I'll leave it up to the IPL fans to decide whether that's the kind of thing they want to see and we'll leave it up to the cricket world to judge R Ashwin's actions.

"For us we were certainly there to play cricket, entertain the fans and be good role models for people who love the game," Upton said.

Ashwin's 'Mankading' act also drew from IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla and Rajasthan Royals brand ambassador Shane Warne.

The South African said he was proud that his players maintained composure and upheld the dignity of the great sport.

"I thought players were really focussed and were able to reset themselves after that run-out. Losing four wickets in two overs was where the game slipped away.

"I'm very happy for the way the players reacted and responded to that situation, conscious decision was to hold our heads high and maintain our dignity as a team," the South African said.

When told that Ashwin was within his rights to run Buttler out as per laws of the game, Upton said that legality and spirit of the game are two separate issues for him.

"I would still like to go and have a close look at the legality of it. But for us, the reality is Ashwin appealed and umpire gave it out, we need to deal with it.

"Legality is a separate issue and a lot of teams will like to have a close look at that issue. I would like to hope that rest of the IPL continues in the spirit that we are all here for this beautiful game," he signed off.

(With PTI inputs)