Sunil Gavaskar wants 'Mankading' to be rechristened as 'Browned'

Mankading is a term that has evoked many debates ever since its inclusion in international cricket. Defined by many as a sly move from a bowler, Mankading amassed after its name a lot of accusations in regard to the Spirit of Cricket . Mankading was coined by Australian journalists after Indian all-rounder Vinoo Mankad, who ran Bill Brown out for backing up too far before the ball was bowled on India s tour of Australia 1947-48. In a recent television debate, Sunil Gavaskar opposed the idea of labelling the act of running out a batsman for backing too far. Gavaskar wants media and fans to rechristen act as 'Browned'. Gavaskar believed that the term 'Mankading' puts Mankad in bad light. MCC's 'Mankading' laws: Then and now

Mankad did not refrain from using it again in the second Test at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) after which it garnered more heat. Former English Test player and tour journalist at that time, KS Duleepsinhji voiced that it (Mankad episode) left a bad taste, while Australia's leg-spinner Bill O Reilly had no problems with his (Mankad) actions. It must be noted that Sir Don Bradman himself came to Mankad s support in his autobiography A Farewell to Cricket.

He also questioned people calling Indian off spinner Harbhajan Singh as 'The Turbanator', even though he wears a patka. It should also be noted that Harbhajan's Twitter account name is Harbhajan Turbanator.

India's World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev is also not unscathed. Kapil is well-known for his Mankading of South African batsman Peter Kirsten in the Friendship series between two teams. Another Indian who is synonymous with Mankading is former left-arm spinner Murali Kartik. Kartik caused controversy in the English County Championship, playing for Surrey against Somerset. He ran out Alex Barrow when the non-striker was out of his crease.

Kartik was again involved in Mankading, after he ran out Bengal s Sandipan Das in a Ranji Trophy game playing for Railway.