The Marylebone Cricket Club revised some Cricket laws earlier this year. Under the new code of laws, Mankading was made a normal mode of run-out. Previously, there has been a moral debate around the method of running out the non-striker. Therefore, Mankading was removed from Law 41 of the Code of Laws, which is concerned with ‘unfair play’. Usually, it is believed that Ravichandran Ashwin is the first Indian to use this way of dismissal. However, Kapil Dev was actually the first Indian to use Mankading in 1992. It is to be noted that the mode of running out the non-striker is named after Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad who was the first person to run out the non-striker Bill Brown in 1947. However, after decades the method of dismissal is finally considered fair.
Watch: Indian all-rounder Kapil Dev Mankading Peter Kirsten
India was on a tour to South Africa in 1992. It was in the 2nd ODI that Kapil Dev had a moment of outburst. Earlier, Kapil had warned peter Kirsten thrice of him being out of the crease while the ball was being bowled. After this was repeated again. He decided to Mankad Proteas batter, Kirsten. After Kapil used the most debated way of dismissal, a heated argument took place. Moreover, Kapil Dev made a three-finger gesture, indicating the three warnings he had given. Peter Kirsten was penalized 50 percent of the match fee. Kepler Wessels was also accused of hitting Kapil with the bat deliberately while running for 2. South Africa went on to win the match by 6 wickets.
26 years later Kirsten talked about the incident and his rapport with Kapil Dev, thereafter. Peter Kirsten played 12 Tests and 40 ODIs for South Africa.
“In my case with Kapil Dev, he did warn me in the game before, I never thought he would do it but he did. People tend to chat about it at social events,” he said. “Kapil and I have chatted about it over the years. So it does stick with you and the apologies do come out. But as the years go by, you become friends. Kapil and I have spoken about it. It’s all patched up.”
Peter Kirsten
