Spirit of Cricket- Give me a break!!

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The term I have just about had enough of is- 'Spirit of Cricket'. Give me a break. 

Either you have rules that prevent players from doing things, or you don't. It is senseless to have certain actions permissible by the rules, but consider these same actions against the 'Spirit of Cricket'. What does that even mean?


Ravinchandran Ashwin and Eoin Morgan got in to it in DC's game against KKR after Ashwin took a run despite the ball being ricochetted off Rishabh Pant. 

England won the ODI World Cup because a similar thing happened with Ben Stokes. Yes, that situation was slightly different but let's not act holier than thou Mr. Morgan. 

As for the hogwash- 'Spirit of Cricket'- Isn't it time we got rid of this? Every time a bowler 'Mankad's' a batsman or an incident like this occurs, we go in to the antiquated debate of 'Spirit of Cricket.' 

What I don't understand is how can there be a rule which contradicts the 'Spirit of Cricket'? It makes no sense. Who are these rule makers? In essence they are saying- you are allowed to do this, but if you do, it is against what the game stands for and you will be criticised. Why allow these rules in the first place? 

It is similar when a bowler runs out a batsman for taking a head start. The reason the rule exists is so that the batsman does not get an unfair advantage. Yet, it is considered gentlemanly to issue a warning or otherwise it is against the 'Spirit of Cricket'. 

When bowlers and fielders appeal for catches knowing fully well that there was no bat involved is that against the 'Spirit of Cricket'. No, it isn't, because the rules permit them to appeal for anything and everything. 

So why are other incidents against the Spirit? The answer is that 'Spirit of Cricket' has become subjective. 

While the preamble to the laws of cricket have defined 'Spirit of Cricket',  incidents like these are purely subjective. 

It is time we move on from this concept and play by the rules of the game. 

I am not suggesting we lose the romance of the- Spirit of Cricket, but let that only be about what is mentioned in the preamble. Let's not allow each person to have their own view on what is right and wrong, especially when it comes to the rules of the game. If a rule is against the 'Spirit' change it, but don't pick on players for following the rules. 




Photo Credit- https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/ipl2021-disgraceful-warne-slams-ashwin-over-kkr-spat/20210929.htm

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