8 instances which prove that Sachin Tendulkar is the epitome of sportsmanship

Mankanding against the spirit of the game, opines Tendulkar; India vs Sri Lanka, 2012

Captaining the Indian side in the absence of MS Dhoni against Sri Lanka in the Commonwealth Bank series in 2012, Virender Sehwag was caught in the midst of a Mankading controversy, which had the potential to stir up a storm in the cricketing fraternity, if not for the intervention of Sachin Tendulkar.

Mankading- an act where the bowler, in his run-up, can run out the non-striker for backing up beyond the crease, even before the delivery has been bowled, has been the topic of much debate. Stalwarts have unanimously termed the rule as one which goes against the spirits of the game.

In the 40th over of the Sri Lankan innings, Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin ran the non-striker Lahiru Thirimanne out, after, allegedly, having warned the batsman before.

Although a legitimate dismissal, the umpires, Paul Reifell and Billy Bowden, consulted the stand-in-captain to know whether he wanted to withdraw the appeal.

Reports suggest that Tendulkar’s persuasive words, that although a wicket obtained through Mankading was a fair dismissal, it went against the sportsmanship behaviour, went a long way in changing Sehwag’s mind. The Mumbaikar, much like in the Ian Bell episode, taught the team a thing or two about playing cricket the appropriate way.