I wasn’t too impressed with Ashwin’s mankad dismissal: Joe Root

England’s Test captain Joe Root has called for clarity of the mankad dismissal which has taken centre-stage after Ravichandran Ashwin successfully appealed for a mankad run out of Jos Buttler during a Punjab-Rajasthan Indian T20 League match last week. (ALSO READ: It’s unfortunate that my father’s name has been tainted: Vinoo Mankad’s son)

The decision to rule the England wicketkeeper-batsman out created a wide rift with many arguing that Ashwin’s actions – well within the laws of the game – went against the Spirit of the Game. (ALSO READ: Ashwin did nothing wrong, he was operating within the laws: AB de Villiers)

The gatekeepers of the laws of the game – Marylebone Cricket Club – declared the dismissal contrary to the spirit of the game.

Root said there has to be some clarity on the dismissal going into the ICC World Cup 2019 which gets underway on May 30. “I think you know some people might be looking to do that now,” he said at an open media session with his county, Yorkshire.

“Umpires being really clear on what is out and what is not out is going to be crucial. Making sure everyone is on the same page with it so that there’s no inconsistencies is going to be really important and having the clarity there for everyone playing the game.” (ALSO READ: ‘It’s too late to say sorry Mr. Ashwin, you will be remembered for that low act’)

In fact, Root opined that the mankad dismissal before the World Cup may actually be a blessing in disguise. “I know it’s not a straightforward rule, but as much as possible, there’s a way of working out what is out and what is not,” he said.

“I think it’s a good warning now and I’m glad it’s not happened to us in the World Cup final, for example, or a World Cup game.”

Asked if he would ever want to be involved in a mankad dismissal, Root said: “It’s not something that I’d like to be involved in, I wasn’t too impressed personally,” Root said. (ALSO READ: Questioning Ashwin’s character because he mankaded Buttler is totally wrong: Rahul Dravid)

“But it’s within the Laws of the game, as a lot of people have said, and one Jos has to take on the chin unfortunately.”

Hosts England begin their World Cup campaign against South Africa at The Oval in London on May 30.