England VS India: Indian bowlers and their love for Mankad

'Mankading' was brought to light once by Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin against Jos Buttler, inviting many divided opinions, and today Indian bowler Deepti Sharma dismissing Charlie Dean in a 'Mankad' style has asked heavily polarised views.

While defending a target of 169 posted by India, Indian bowler Renuka Singh scalped four wickets as England women struggled and lost their nine wickets at 118. However, what grabbed everyone's attention was the runout of Charlie Dean as the 10th wicket by Deepti Sharma at the non-striker's end.

Deepti Sharma ran out Charlie Dean as she backed up too far ahead before the ball was released from the hand. What Deepti Sharma did was quite fair and well within the rules, but still, England cricketers found it unfair and controversial.

After the match, a SkySports commentator asked the same question to Harmanpreet Kaur. She replied, "To be honest, I thought you will ask about all the 10 wickets which was not easy to take as well [on being probed about the last wicket]. It's part of the game I don't think we have done something new. It shows your awareness, what batters are doing. I will back my players, she hasn't done something outside the rules."

The runout left Charlie Dean into tears, as she was patiently taking England to the win that seemed difficult. English players, unimpressed by the way of victory, criticised and wrote:

"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, I am very happy for others to feel differently," Stuart Broad.

Former English bowler Tim Bresnan tweeted, "wait, wait, wait, Mankad. The back foot is down front foot was down before she left the crease. should be not out on drs if we're making it legal. #mankading"

"Has that not just left the sourest taste in the mouth at the end of this international summer? I'm dumbfounded," said England women's team's all-rounder Georgia Elwiss.

She further put team India down and said, "I cannot believe the Indian team felt that was the only way they would get a wicket. I don't think Charlie Dean was trying to gain any advantage. It's ridiculous. For me, Harmanpreet Kaur has got to look at her side and think, 'is that how we want to win games of cricket?' Can she not withdraw that appeal?"

England's supporters' group 'Barmy Army', too, was not too pleased with the call and wrote, "Legal but that's just not cricket. Terrible way to end a terrific game."

England pacer James Anderson also fumingly wrote, "Will never understand why players feel the need to do this. Is she stealing ground?"

"There's surely not a person who has played the game that thinks this is acceptable? Just not cricket…." England's star batter Sam Billings wrote.

In response to Sam Billings' tweet, Alex Hales wrote, "It shouldn't be difficult for the non-striker to stay in their crease till the ball has left the hand."

When most of the English cricket pundits poured negative comments on the way of winning, Indian fans and cricketers too stepped up in support of Deepti Sharma.

India's leading off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who used the 'Mankad' dismissal in the 2019 IPL, funnily wrote, "Why the hell are you trending, Ashwin? Tonight is about another bowling hero @Deepti_Sharma06."

Virender Sehwag wrote, "Funny to see so many English guys being poor losers. # Runout."

Aakash Chopra said, "Anyone who has appealed and chosen not to take the DRS (when available) has no moral authority to talk about the mythical ethics of running the batter out at the non-striker's end. Period."

"I'm on no one's side here but my opinion is that if bowlers are forced to stay behind the line while bowling due to the laws in place.... batters can learn to stay behind the line too while backing up due to the laws in place. Seems fair to me if we all just follow the laws." wrote Tabraiz Shamsi.

Wasim Jaffer tweeted, "It's actually quite simple. The 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."