It is simply weird that a mode of dismissal leads to a fire inducing spark each time it is effected or even tried by a bowler, although it being well within the laws of the game.
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The discussions and debates around ‘Mankad’/ ‘Mankading’ or run-out at the non-striker’s end is one such of the many ways a batter is adjudged Out, which has yet again managed to hog the limelight ever since Aussie leg-spinner Adam Zampa attempted the same a few days ago, during the ongoing Big Bash League 2022-23.
While the arguments ‘for’ or ‘against’ this topic remain the same, a concentrated effort has also been made to refrain people from using the term ‘Mankading’, as it puts the name of former Indian Cricketer Vinoo Mankad in a bad light.
For those unaware, this very term has been used by the cricketing fraternity ever since Mankad dismissed Australia’s Bill Brown around seven decades ago at the non-striker’s end, by whipping the bails off after the latter was found dangling outside the crease before the delivery stride.
The MCC even removed the non-striker end run-out law from the ‘unfair play’ section last year, in a bid to avoid stigmatization of bowlers who do go for this lawful dismissal.
Vinoo Mankad grandson is proud that family name is kept alive
With the term is still casually uttered by even the former cricketers and the commentators each time this run-out is attempted, the Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive went on to explicitly state that the word ‘Mankad’ should no longer be part of the glossary of Cricket terms.
However, the Mankad family simply have no problem on the term being used every now and then, and in fact take it as a badge of honour and pride that their family name is being kept alive as a cricketing term.
Vinoo Mankad’s grandson Harsh Mankad feels that the term helps keep alive his grandfather’s legacy as a sportsperson who represented India internationally.
“Personally, I’m always delighted to see my grandfather being remembered. I feel it to be a great honour for our name to be associated with a cricketing term, remarked Harsh Mankad as quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald.
“I’d love to see the “Mankad” or “Mankading” stay and keep alive his memories and legacy as a great competitor and sportsman deeply respected and admired by everyone I’ve met and those who knew him and experienced life with him,” he further added.
UPDATE: Harsh Mankad, former India Tennis player, is the son of former India batter Ashok Mankad (son of Vinoo Mankad). Harsh’s views, however, have been disagreed upon by Vinod Mankad’s daughter-in-law Nishita Mankad (wife of late Rahul Mankad) saying that the family doesn’t endorse the same. For the unversed, Vinoo had three sons namely Rahul, Ashok and Atul.
