|| Indian Correspondent ||

Former player Kevin Pietersen, who has been doing his commentary job in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020, has supported veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on the Mankad issue. This came in the news when Ashwin Mankaded Jos Buttler in the 2019 edition of IPL and faced a lot of criticisms. Although Pietersen didn’t back him at that time, he admitted that he has changed his views and now agrees with Ashwin.

The Mankading incident once again came in the news this year after Ashwin, playing for Delhi Capitals, warned Royal Challengers Bangalore’s opener Aaron Finch for leaving the non-striker’s end even before he released the ball. Ashwin let off Finch with a warning instead of dismissing him.

While speaking on talkSPORT’s podcast Following On, Pietersen revealed that he saw the use of this in one of his son’s games and he also shared that he was shocked to see the 10-year-old kid has been picking up the practice of this as well.

“Apparently (Mankading) is in the coaching manuals now and is to be allowed,” said Pietersen. “(But) seeing how far down the wicket Aaron Finch was, almost stealing two metres before Ashwin bowled, I think what he did was perfect,” said Pietersen. “Finch, get back in your crease. Do not steal runs!”

Pietersen also said that the game has become very competitive nowadays with a lot of money involved in it as well. However, he believes that batsmen on the non-striking end need to follow the rules well.