'Don't wander out': 1 year to the run-out, R Ashwin gives Mankading warning as India goes under 21 days lockdown

In a bid to stop the spreading of coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced a complete lockdown across the country for 21 days. Urging citizens to stay indoors, many celebrities and sports personalities are also taking to social media to spread the word.

Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin - known for his witty tweets - made a humorous reference to the Mankading, which took place exactly a year ago in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

He used the run-out to warn people of the things that could happen if they stepped out of their houses.

“…Exactly been 1 year since this run out happened. As the nation goes into lockdown, this is a good reminder to my citizens. Don’t wander out. Stay inside, stay safe,” Ashwin tweeted on Wednesday.

Hahaha, somebody sent me this and told me it's exactly been 1 year since this run out happened.

As the nation goes into a lockdown, this is a good reminder to my citizens.

Don't wander out. Stay inside, stay safe! #21DayLockdown pic.twitter.com/bSN1454kFt

— lets stay indoors India (@ashwinravi99) March 25, 2020

In the IPL in 2019, Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) skipper Ashwin had run out Jos Buttler at the non-striker’s end when he strayed out of his crease. The incident had caused the cricket world to be divided whether this was within the ‘spirit’ of the game.

As for the lockdown, the bowler had taken to Twitter after PM Modi made the announcement and tweeted, “3 weeks it is … let’s stay indoors in India. I repeat the consequences of irresponsible community behavior over the next 3 weeks could cost us 2 decades”.

3 weeks it is ... let’s stay indoors India. I repeat the consequences of irresponsible community behaviour over the next 3 weeks could cost us 2 decades. Well done @narendramodi ji. Now let’s follow instructions rather than moaning and giving our own opinions. #coronavirusindia

— lets stay indoors India (@ashwinravi99) March 24, 2020

He had even replied to one of ESPNCricinfo's piece and said that this crisis has made him realize that the game is taken ‘too seriously’. “If we survive this pandemic, surely there is a lesson somewhere in there,” he had said.