Is the Mankad fair or foul?

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene insinuated India had played dirty cricket by attempting a Mankad in their loss at the Gabba on Tuesday night.

The Mankad is named after Indian batsman who Vinoo Mankad ran out Australia’s Bill Brown in 1947.

The incident involved spinner Ravi Ashwin and stand-in skipper Virender Sehwag.

Ashwin was bowling in the 40th over when he walked up to the crease but before delivering, knocked the bails off and appealed as Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Thirimanne was backing up and out of his ground.

Acting captain Sehwag did not withdraw his bowler’s appeal and on-field umpires Billy Bowden and Paul Reiffel had a lengthy consultation before beckoning over Sehwag.

Sachin Tendulkar intervened in the conversation with the umpires and Sehwag then withdrew his appeal with Thirimanne remaining at the crease, going onto make 62 in Sri Lanka’s total of 6-289. Sri Lanka won the game by 51 runs.

There were conflicting accounts over whether India had previously warned Thirimanne - but regardless, a Mankad is considered against the spirit of the game.

“I wouldn’t have got the bails off in the first place . . . I like to try and keep it nice and clean,” Jayawardene said.

“I would just give him a warning and make sure he stays in the crease.”

Sehwag expressed frustration with Thirimanne and said India were within their rights, according to the rules, to do what they did.

“I think Ashwin warned him once in the previous over and next over he took the bail off and appealed,” Sehwag said.

“The umpires discussed it with me and I said we can give him one more warning.

“If he does it again he was out.

“The International Cricket Council made the rule - if someone is taking a start then the bowler has a full right to make him run out.

“If we appeal and the umpire gave him out maybe someone will say that is not in the spirit of the game.” (Foxsports)