Could this be the biggest meltdown in cricket history?

Video has gone viral of a batsman throwing a crazy bat-smashing tantrum after being dismissed in cricket’s most controversial fashion: the Mankad.

There aren’t too many details about who the batsman is or what competition he’s playing in, but it appears to be a limited overs fixture in the sub-continent.

As you can see above, the batsman is caught wandering out of his crease before the bowler delivers the ball.

View photos The Mankad. Image: Fred Boycott/Twitter More

The bowler whips off the bails before entering his delivery stride – perfectly legal under cricket rules – running the batsman out.

The umpire has no choice but to give the batsman out, sparking his all-time meltdown.

The batsman smashes his bat into the ground multiple times, snapping it in half as one chunk flies off.

View photos What a reaction! Image: Fred Boycott/Twitter More

He then leaves it on the field and jogs towards his team bench, kicking out wildly at a chair once he gets there.

The video immediately went viral on social media, with some Twitter users humorously suggesting his reaction was perfectly reasonably given the controversial dismissal.

Disgraceful behaviour. And the batsman's response is not much better … — Peter Shaw (@PCSoblahdeehell) December 20, 2018





Correct response – possibly slightly understated…. — Jimmy Beaumont (@Beaumont1Jimmy) December 19, 2018





The reaction I’d expect from @ianholmes7719 with @elcolo58 bowling 😃 — Paul Jones (@pauljones1981) December 19, 2018





Just not cricket. — Andy (@parkster59) December 19, 2018





Thought he took it well!! — John Cook (@coookiniooo) December 19, 2018





Fair play is to give a warning first. At least tell the umpire you're going to do it if he keeps leaving his ground and the ump can choose to warn him. — Anthony Condon (@AnthCondon) December 19, 2018





Origins of the Mankad

The Mankad is legal under ICC rules, but continues to cause controversy, with many believing it’s against the spirit of the game.

The name comes from former Indian Test spinner Vinoo Mankad, who affected the first dismissal of its kind in 1947.

Mankad ran out Aussie batsman Bill Brown during India’s tour of Australia, sparking a furious reaction.

However Aussie legend Sir Don Bradman later defended Mankad.

“For the life of me, I can’t understand why [the press] questioned his sportsmanship. The laws of cricket make it quite clear that the non-striker must keep within his ground until the ball has been delivered.

“If not, why is the provision there which enables the bowler to run him out? By backing up too far or too early, the non-striker is very obviously gaining an unfair advantage.”

Unwritten rules between most teams state that a bowler should warn the non-striker before affecting a Mankad.