Cricket: The cricketing world reacts to Deepthi Sharma’s “Mankad” against England

The 3rd ODI between the women's teams of India and England ended in controversial circumstances as Indian spinner Deepti Sharma ran out the non-striker Charlotte Dean. With only one wicket left, England were fighting hard to stay alive in the game but Dean's run-out meant that England lost the match by 16 runs.

India batted first and could only muster 160, with Smrithi Mandana scoring 50 and Deepti Sharma contributing 68 runs. Fast bowler Kate Cross was the pick of the bowlers for England, picking up four wickets, while Freya Kemp and Sophie Ecclestone picked up two each.

In reply, England were in a good position at 27 for no loss but the introduction of fast bowler Renuka Singh turned the game on its head. She picked up three of the first four England wickets and the Indian spinners tightened the screws further. England were reeling at 65 for 7 at one stage before skipper Amy Jones (28 off 50) and Charlotte Dean led the English fightback.

Jhulan Goswami, who was playing her last ODI, took the ninth wicket with England still needing 52 runs to win the game. The final pair of Dean and Freya Davis added 35 runs for the final wicket before Deepti Sharma cleverly ran out the all-rounder to give India the win.

As expected, the move divided opinion, with some saying it was within the rules, while some arguing that it was against the spirit of the game.

During the post-match presentation ceremony, England captain Amy Jones said: “The last dismissal divides opinion. I’m not a fan but it depends how India feel about it. It’s within the rules, hopefully doesn’t take the shine off the summer.”

"[Dean] She absorbed the pressure and knuckled down – not sure she was getting out any other way,” she added.

While Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur defended her player's decision, saying it was part of the game.

“It’s part of the game I don’t think we have done anything new. It shows your awareness and what batters are doing. I will back my players, she hasn’t done something outside the rules. After the first game we discussed, we wanted to do really well, we have that much potential. We want to continue this kind of cricket.”

Meanwhile, Ravi Ashwin, who mankaded Jos Buttler in the IPL tweeted: “Why the hell are you trending Ashwin? Tonight is about another bowling hero @Deepti_Sharma06.”

England fast bowler Stuart Broad wasn't particularly impressed by Deepti Sharma's decision, tweeting: “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,” said Broad.

Former England skipper Naseer Hussain, who was commentating on the game, said that the Indian spinner was well within her rights to run out the non-striker. He said: “No. I'm not so sure. Laws have changed, so if she was in her delivery stride, she was well within her rights to do that,” Well, they are going to replay that for a long time, but's within the laws of the game. If she is in a delivery stride and the non-striker leaves the crease, you can run out the non-striker. Charlotte Dean is in tears and remember, it is in the laws of the game.