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The third and final Women ODI between India and England at Lord’s finished with a clean sweep for the visitors, but the last wicket set social media on fire with mixed reactions coming from the cricket fraternity.
Notably, England required 52 runs to win when they lost their ninth wicket. But, the final pair of Charlie Dean and Freya Davis added 35 runs to put clouds over India’s chances of registering a clean sweep.
However, that’s when Deepti Sharma showed an incredible game-awareness as she noticed Dean leaving her crease at the non-striker’s end before the delivery was bowled. The Indian all-rounder then stopped and ran Dean out to secure a 16-run victory for the tourists.
The mode of dismissal (roughly known as mankad) triggered the English fan base, with many cricketers taking to social media to criticize Deepti. Not to mention, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has legalized such a mode of dismissal, and recently, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) also moved the dismissal from the ‘Unfair Play’ to ‘Run out’ section.
Despite that, there still remains considerable taboo over the dismissal, with a number of cricketers and fans believing it is against the spirit of the game. While England players expressed disappointment, the Indian cricket fraternity, including India Women’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, came out in support of Deepti.
Here is how the cricket fraternity reacted:
Funny to see so many English guys being poor losers. #Runout . pic.twitter.com/OJOibK6iBZ
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) September 24, 2022
Well done @Deepti_Sharma06 on following the LAWS of the game!! Don’t ever listen to anyone who says anything to you otherwise!!
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) September 25, 2022
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
Question… when are you allowed to leave your ground? When the back foot lands, front foot lands, bowler releases the ball, when it pitches, when the batter hits it? #Mankad ruling 🤷♂️🤷♂️ or just back yourself to get a number 11 out sounds a better option 👍👍
— Liam Livingstone (@liaml4893) September 25, 2022
Imagine a World Cup final. 1 to level scores. Non-striker charges down for a single and is in by a quarter of an inch. Suppose it turns out that she had the left the crease before the ball was bowled. Would that be fair? Would running less to win be in the spirit of the game?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) September 24, 2022
It would be questioned for a long time but it’s in the law of the games. You can be run out by #mankading.
Bear in mind it’s in the laws of the game. #ENGvsIND— Monty Panesar (@zkp_scroll) September 24, 2022
It shouldn’t be difficult for the non striker to stay in their crease til the ball has left the hand…
— Alex Hales (@AlexHales1) September 24, 2022
A run out? Terrible way to finish the game
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) September 24, 2022
Well within the laws but not in the spirit.
Just my opinion… the law should be changed back to a warning system or penalty runs for excessive backing up for eg
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) September 24, 2022
Well done, Deepti Sharma. You did the right thing. And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
And well done, Team India 😊😇 The sweet taste of a clean sweep on English soil. Brilliant. 😊🤩
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 24, 2022
It's actually quite simple. Ball comes into play when bowler starts run up. From that moment on as a batter or non striker you've to keep your eyes on the ball, if you're a bit careless, opposition will get you out. And you can get out at either ends. #ENGvIND
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) September 24, 2022
