Wanindu Hasaranga in LPL 2026 (Source: @LPLT20/X)
‘Spirit Of The Game’ often becomes the topic of discussion in cricket, particularly when something unusual happens on the field. Sunday was one of those days, and it was Wanindu Hasaranga who ignited it while playing in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 for Kandy Royals.
The incident happened during the seventh over of Jaffna Kings’ innings in Match 13 of LPL 2026 at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. There, Kamil Mishara played straight to Hasaranga, who came to bowl the over after the Powerplay.
Avishka Fernando, who was well-set at the non-striker’s end, batting on 46* off 24 balls, was well short of the crease when Hasaranga collected the ball. The Sri Lanka spinner dislodged the bails immediately, but soon realised it could have been avoided.
Wanindu Hasaranga Withdraws Appeal In Show Of Sportsmanship
Even though Avishka began to walk off, Hasaranga took little time to bring him back. The on-field umpire also gave him out, but Wanindu Hasaranga changed his mind and kept him in the middle.
Avishka liked what Hasaranga did and shared a hug with him. No wonder the ‘spirit of the game’ debate became the subject of discussion within seconds, as there were multiple occasions where players do not withdraw if one does it.
Watch the video here:
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Eventually, Avishka Fernando made 66 off 36 balls before falling to Dushan Hemantha. Kamil Mishara, who hit the ball to Hasaranga before the controversial incident, made 78 off 53 balls, laced with six fours and two sixes.
Moreover, Hasaranga’s team lost by 93 runs, as Kandy Royals were bundled out for 106 in 18.2 overs after Jaffna’s 199/4.
Did Any Indian Withdraw Appeal After Running Out The Non-Striker?
Famously known as Mankad, there were multiple events where players got run out at the non-striker’s end by the bowler even before the ball was delivered. One of the famous incidents happened in January 2023 when India and Sri Lanka were up against each other in an ODI series opener in Guwahati.
There, Sri Lanka required 83 off three deliveries to win the match, with Dasun Shanaka batting on 98*. Yet, Mohammed Shami, before releasing the delivery, decided to run Shanaka out at the non-striker’s end.
Rohit Sharma, then India captain, withdrew the appeal and laughed with Shami about his actions. Shanaka, in the process, survived.
In another infamous event, R Ashwin decided to run out Jos Buttler at the non-striker’s end during IPL 2019. Similar to Shami, Ashwin ran him out without delivering the ball.
However, unlike Rohit, there was no one who could convince Ashwin to change his decision. Back then, Ashwin was playing for Punjab Kings, while Buttler was there with Rajasthan Royals.
Of course, the spirit of the game debate ignited then as well, and Ashwin was strictly against that ideology. Instead, he believed that cricket should always be played in a competitive nature.
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