New Delhi: As the Indian women’s cricket team returned to India after their ODI series win over England, all-rounder Deepti Sharma has revealed that the crucial run out of English player Charlie Dean was part of their game plan.
On Saturday at the Lord’s, England was inching towards victory with just 17 runs left on its last wicket when Charlie was run out by Deepti at the non-striker’s end as she was backing up.
“It was a part of our plan because she was repeatedly (leaving the crease). We had already warned her and we just followed the rules,” Deepti told journalists on the team’s arrival in India.
She said that the Indian team had already informed the umpires as well but Charlie was still doing it “so there was nothing else we could do”.
“Every team wants to win and we wanted to give her (Jhulan Goswami) a good farewell by winning. Whatever we could do as a team we did,” she added.
.@Deepti_Sharma06 opens up on the Charlotte Dean run out, says @BCCIWomen had already warned her!@ThumsUpOfficial
#DeeptiSharma #Runout pic.twitter.com/3YwWwvZ1e4— RevSportz (@RevSportz) September 26, 2022
The controversy
Although the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) – the custodians of cricket laws – has come out with a statement clarifying that there was nothing wrong with the dismissal, it has stoked a given rise to a fierce debate among former players and cricket enthusiasts.
The incident, commonly referred to as ‘Mankading’ in cricket, refers to a run out by the bowler by taking off bails at the non-striker’s end before releasing the ball. The term ‘mankading’ originates from the former Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad’s way of dismissal.
The MCC, earlier this year, had rectified this method to be classified as law 38 ‘run out’ as opposed to the earlier law 41 ‘unfair play’. Cricketers have faced backlash for violating the ‘spirit of cricket’, but the MCC felt the need to urge batsmen to stay more alert at the crease, no matter at what end they stood at.
How cricket fraternity has reacted
Scott Styris, New Zealand cricket commentator and former cricketer, took to Twitter Sunday saying, “Don’t make the laws of cricket conflict with the spirit of cricket and we won’t have a problem.”
Don't make the laws of cricket conflict with the spirit of cricket and we won't have a problem
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) September 25, 2022
Ravichandran Ashwin, a former all-rounder spinner for India, showcased his support for a fellow cricketer by tweeting “How about a bravery award to go with it?”.
In fact that’s a great idea. How about awarding that wicket to the bowler for “ presence of mind” under immense pressure and of course knowing the social stigma that he/she would have to deal with post doing it. How about a bravery award to go with it too @ICC ? https://t.co/9PqqetnnGw
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) September 25, 2022
Stuart Broad, on the other hand, slammed Deepti for the way she led India to victory. The English cricketer tweeted, “I personally wouldn’t like to win a match like that…”.
I find the debate of the Mankad really interesting. So many views from either side. I personally wouldn’t like to win a match like that, also, very happy for others to feel differently https://t.co/BItCNJZqYB
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) September 24, 2022
Former Indian batter Virender Sehwag also tweeted, “Funny to see so many English guys being poor losers”.
Funny to see so many English guys being poor losers. #Runout . pic.twitter.com/OJOibK6iBZ
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 24, 2022
Also read: One last Jhulan Goswami day—pioneer swing bowler who lifted women’s cricket in India