The never-ending debate over "Mankading" - when a bowler runs out the non-striker for leaving his crease - is back.

Ravichandran Ashwin, who triggered a controversy last year by "Mankading" Jos Buttler in an IPL match, has suggested the introduction of a "free ball" for bowlers if a batsman at the non-striker's end backs up too much.

The method of dismissal, named after India's Vinoo Mankad who ran out Australia's Bill Brown, though allowed by cricket's laws, is frowned upon by some purists who say it goes against the "spirit of the game".

"Make it a free ball for the bowler. If the batsmen gets out of that ball, the batting team will be docked 5 runs. Free hit adds to the drama for a batter, let's give a chance to the bowlers too. As of now everyone watches the game hoping that 'the bowlers will get smacked today'," Ashwin tweeted on Monday.

This was in response to a Dinesh Karthik tweet, where the Kolkata Knight Riders captain invited opinion from "cricket nerds" on the issue. Karthik thinks "Mankading" is well within the laws.

Ashwin’s tweet has rekindled the debate.

While WV Raman advised that a batsman has to "stay in the crease", Rohan Gavaskar said that the term "spirit of cricket" is "vague" and most bowlers shy away from "Mankading" because they are wary of controversy.

Barry Richards, the South African great who interestingly himself Mankaded Ray Gripper during a Rhodesia vs Natal Currie Cup match in November 1968, had an interesting take on the matter.

"Is it not against the spirit of the game when you are backing up and thus taking a big advantage? Therein lies the answer. A run is of 22 yards, not 17 yards! Have you ever wondered how many run outs would there be if the batsmen didn't back up as far as they do? That would be an interesting debate," the 75-year-old Barry told The Telegraph.

Asked if Ashwin's suggestion of giving a free ball and deducting runs from the batting side was practical, Barry replied: "That would be tough on umpires and scorers. Or if you have to deduct runs, maybe a warning has to be issued first. That needs to be debated. The new rule could just be that the non-striker has to have either foot behind the batting crease or the bat must be behind the stump line. It will be easier to police that way."

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar feels it has a bit of everything involved.

"Mankading is a legal dismissal... But there is something called the spirit of the game. However, it differs from person to person. In the past, some of the bowlers would warn the non-striker before getting them out, while some did not," Vengsarkar said.

"As a batsman, I feel you should play within the rules of the game… You should not leave the crease before the bowl is bowled and it is up to the bowler whether to warn the batsman or not," he added.

And what about Ashwin's "free ball" suggestion? "Well, I am not aware of it. But I think it is more important to have bigger grounds in T20s to balance the game better. That would help bowlers, particularly spinners. Otherwise, with top edges going for a six in smaller grounds, why would anyone want to become a bowler?" Vengsarkar said.

It is hard to put an end to this debate. And with Ashwin's coach at Delhi Capitals, Ricky Ponting, promising to have a "hard talk" on the subject with the spinner, there's more loading up one feels.

The IPL begins next month. Will be interesting to see if the spirit of Mankad is invoked again!