Emotions are running high around the cricket world after Kings XI Punjab captain Ravi Ashwin executed a Mankad dismissal in his team's IPL win.
The wicket has sparked friction across the international game — but one image shows even legends of the sport have been caught up in the wrong debate.
Spinner Ashwin took the bails off at the non-striker's end while England batsman Jos Buttler was backing up, with the controversial move overshadowing his side's 14-run victory over Rajasthan — and the IPL return of Aussie Steve Smith.
The term "Mankad" — used when a bowler runs out a non-striker before delivery — was coined 70 years ago when Indian allrounder Vinoo Mankad twice ran out Bill Brown at the bowler's end during India's tour of Australia in 1947.
It is considered to be against cricket's spirit of fair play and Buttler, who scored 69 off 43 deliveries, walked dejectedly back to the pavilion after an argument with the India bowler.
While legends, including Shane Warne and England captain Michael Vaughan, have declared publicly they are affronted by Ashwin's failure to act within the so-called "spirit of the game" — the emotion has simply clouded the issue.
The only debate that matters is whether Rajasthan Royals star English batsman Jos Buttler was guilty of leaving his crease at the non-striker's end in violation of the MCC Laws of Cricket Code.
One image that has been circulated around the cricket world suggests Ashwin doesn't have a leg to stand on in regards to the laws that govern the so-called Mankad.
The freeze frame shows that on simple rules alone — completely independent of those screaming for blood over Ashwin's poor form — Buttler should never have been given out when the decision was sent up to the third umpire.

The photograph below captures the moment Ashwin's front foot has landed after launching into his release action. It shows Buttler clearly has his bat behind the crease at the exact point of release.
In accordance with MCC Law 41.16 — which governs the non-striker leaving his or her ground early — Buttler should never have been given out as he is allowed to leave his crease "when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball".
"If the non-striker is out of his/her ground from the moment the ball comes into play to the instant when the bowler would normally have been expected to release the ball, the bowler is permitted to attempt to run him/her out," the law states.
"Whether the attempt is successful or not, the ball shall not count as one in the over.
"If the bowler fails in an attempt to run out the non-striker, the umpire shall call and signal dead ball as soon as possible."

Ravi Ashwin went were few bowlers dare to go. Photo / Twitter.
The photo has superimposed an old image of Ashwin bowling for India in blue over the top of him bowling for Kings XI Punjab in red. It's designed to show that when Ashwin's front foot landed last night, he would normally be in his delivery stride preparing to let go of the ball.
Buttler is still in his crease at that point and because he would reasonably expect Ashwin to have delivered the ball, under the laws of the game, he should be safe. However, Ashwin didn't let go of the ball as expected and baulked after planting his front foot, sparking the controversy.
Cricket identities have used the image to nail Ashwin.
Unfortunately, the ambiguity of the rule and bizarre bowling action of Ashwin have further clouded the issue.
The video of the action shows that Ashwin never raised his front arm while launching into his delivery.
International cricket legends, led spiritedly by Aussie great Dean Jones, have declared the image above is made redundant because Ashwin was never truly in the act of bowling — as suggested by his left arm never pointing down the pitch.
Ashwin did launch into the air, but critics are claiming Buttler was correctly given out because Ashwin pulled out of his delivery as Buttler was in the motion of following his routine of l...