‘Terrible act’ – Cricketers Raise Questions On The Spirit Of The Game After Deepti Sharma’s Mankading Incident

On 24 September 2022, India Women took on England Women at the Lords in the last and third match of their ODI series. However, after winning both the ODIs, India Women already sealed the series with this match to go. Hence, the visitors were looking for a clean sweep. On the other hand, England Women were looking to avoid that humiliating clean sweep at their home.

Meanwhile, this match was the last international match for India’s veteran bowler Jhulan Goswami. Therefore, the stage was set for a fitting goodbye for this legendary bowler. Speaking of the match, England Women won the toss and then asked India to bat first. For India, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma came out to open the innings.

Deepti Sharma used the mankading method to dismiss Charlie Dean to win the match for India

While batting first, India Women scored 169 runs only in 45.4 overs. Smriti Mandhana scored 50 runs off 79 balls, including five fours. Along with her, Deepti Sharma scored 68* runs off 106 balls while batting down the order. Apart from these two, no batters managed to contribute significantly. Hence, they got bundled out for such a small target. For England Women, Kate Cross grabbed four wickets for 26 runs in 10 overs. Along with her, other bowlers also chipped in with some wickets to rattle the Indian batting lineup. In response, Indian bowlers were also on a roll.

England were struggling at 118 runs for nine wickets in 35.2 overs. In her last match, Jhulan Goswami took two wickets for 30 runs in 10 overs. Renuka Singh was the star of the show as she took four wickets for 29 runs in 10 overs. But, Freya Davies and Charlie Dean stitched a solid partnership of 35 runs before losing the final wickets. Both of them were batting in such a manner that the match was going out of the hands of India slowly. But, on the third ball of the 44th over, Deepti Sharma made a run-out at the non-striker’s end. She whipped off the bails when the batter left her crease. It gave India the match win and left Dean in tears. However, some cricketers did not find this mankading incident legal as they shared their views on Twitter. On the other hand, some players came out to support that as a part of the game. 

Here is how cricketers have reacted to that mankading incident in the third ODI between India Women and England Women:

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

Will never understand why players feel the need to do this. Is she stealing ground? pic.twitter.com/KJi1Rgzmdi

— James Anderson (@jimmy9) September 24, 2022

There’s surely not a person who has played the game that thinks this is acceptable?

Just not cricket… https://t.co/VLGeddDlrz

— Sam Billings (@sambillings) September 24, 2022

I still find it pretty pathetic that you would want to win a match by Mankad running out someone…the rules need to change to allow a warning, if you've been warned fine, stop taking advantage @BCCIWomen Capt could have warned non striker #ENGvIND #Cricket @HomeOfCricket

— Jack Russell MBE (@jackrussellart) September 24, 2022

We can see it clearly there is no intention of bowling the ball, she is looking towards non striker batter to cheat him.
This is very unfair & terrible act worst spirit 🙏#mankading #mankad #Cheater#INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/SQCLYN3P7h

— Muhammad Asif (Parody) (@MuhammadAsif26_) 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 (@MontyPanesar) September 24, 2022

wait,wait,wait, Mankad. back foot is down front foot was down before she left crease. should be not out on drs if we're making it legal. #mankading pic.twitter.com/1aewSWkrbc

— Tim Bresnan (@timbresnan) September 24, 2022

What an average way to win a game! Yes it’s officially in the rules! But poor when the batsman wasn’t trying to gain an advantage! She was just walking in with the bowler and when the bowler should’ve released the ball she was still in her crease! Really poor #ENGvsIND #mankading https://t.co/ehPJOAJbG0

— James Taylor (@jamestaylor20) September 24, 2022

https://twitter.com/ashwinravi99/status/1573734957578874880

A run out? Terrible way to finish the game

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) September 24, 2022