After Angelo Mathews‘ timed out dismissal within the Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka Cricket World Cup match, the ‘Spirit of cricket’ debate has once more come up. In the 146-year-old historical past of worldwide cricket, such an incident by no means occurred the place a batter was dismissed for failing to take strike inside the stipulated time. The heated deliberations began after Angelo Mathews was declared timed out following an enchantment of Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan after the Sri Lankan batter couldn’t prepare in time to face his first ball, coming in after the dismissal of Sadeera Samarawickrama.

Former Indian cricket staff captain and the present Indian cricket staff coach Rahul Dravid has now opened up on the ‘spirit of cricket’ debate.

“Recently we have seen a few incidents which has again created a lot of debate, especially on the other side of the ground. Playing with the spirit of cricket and maintaining the rule of cricket. So, there is a lot of debate on this. So, just wanted to know your view or the views of the players, those who perform on the field. How they take on a situation like this?” Rahul Dravid was requested by a reporter.

Indian cricket staff coach Rahul Deravid gave an in depth reponse. “So, I think like you just said yourself, everyone thinks differently. We are all unique creatures and we have our own minds and our own thoughts. And the players will be the same. Each one of us will think differently about a particular situation. And there is no real right and wrong. You can go and debate both the situations,” Rahul Dravid stated within the pre-match press convention.

“You can debate whether we have to stick to the rules as they are. Or you have to sometimes give a little leeway for a little bit of spirit of cricket. And there’ll be people on both sides of the camp. And I think just understanding that it’s okay to have those differences is fine.”

Rahul Dravid added that if somebody goes by the rule-book, that particular person cannot be blamed.

“It’s fine to have those differences and some people might agree or not agree with certain decisions that were taken. Others will say no it’s in the rules so I’m allowed to do it and that’s the way it is you know you can’t – when someone wants to take the letter of the rule law to the last nth degree, I don’t think you can complain about it because honestly, he’s just following the rules as he sees it.

“Yeah, I imply, you may not do it your self. I imply, you understand, we would not do it, however you’ll be able to’t blame anyone for following it since you put that in place and you must give scope for that degree of understanding of anyone. Whether you select to do it or not is totally your choice.”