Jos Buttler was the victim of a ‘Mankad’ dismissal at the IPL (Picture: Getty)

Jos Buttler has finally broken his silence after being the victim of a ‘Mankad’ dismissal at the Indian Premier League.

Backing up at the non-striker’s end in an IPL match last week, Buttler was unaware that India’s Ravichandran Ashwin has paused in his run-up and removed the bails before delivering the ball.

Buttler was furious as he left the pitch and the dismissal caused much controversy at the IPL, with Shane Warne calling Ashwin’s actions ’embarrassing’ and ‘disgraceful’.

Having initially ruled the dismissal to be both legal and within the ‘Spirit of Cricket’, the MCC later condemned Ashwin for what they perceived as deceiving the batsman.


Ravi Ashwin ran Buttler out at the non-striker’s end (Picture: BT Sport)

‘At the time, I was ­really disappointed with it. I didn’t like the style of it,’ England wicketkeeper-batsman Buttler told the Daily Mirror.



‘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.

‘That is why it was nice to get some runs in the win and get back to thinking about ­batting and not worrying about how I back up at the non-­striker’s end.

‘I think if you look at the footage, probably the wrong decision was made because at the time he was expected to release the ball I was in my crease.

The India star was widely criticised over the dismissal (Picture: Getty)

‘I didn’t like what happened and I didn’t agree with it, but what can you do? I must be the only person to get out twice in that way as well! I’ll make sure it never happens again.’

A number of current and former players criticised Ashwin over the dismissal and while Buttler did not join them, the Englishman admitted it left a bad taste in his mouth.

‘I didn’t like what had happened. I just thought it was a bad precedent at the start of the tournament,’ he added.

‘I’d hope, whether it was a written thing or not, that ­players – as custodians of the game, role models to young kids and professional people – would carry themselves in a certain way and play the game hard and competitive, but play in what I perceive to be the right way, which is in a good spirit.

England star Buttler is playing for Rajasthan Royals at IPL 2019 (Picture: Getty)

‘Play hard but fair.’

Buttler’s Rajasthan Royals made a poor start to the 2019 Indian Premier League but recorded their first victory on Tuesday over Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Kings XI Punjab, who are captained by Ashwin, are currently top having won three of their first four matches.

Delhi Capitals face last year’s runners-up Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday.