The Indian women’s cricket team created history as they defeated England in the final match of the series, which was legendary pacer Jhulan Goswami’s final ODI, to register a historic 3-0 series whitewash over the hosts. However, one incident that stole all the limelight was Deepti Sharma running out Charlotte ‘Charlie’ Dean from the non-striker’s end. During Harmanpreet Kaur-led India’s third and final ODI versus England, at Lord’s, a controversy erupted when all-rounder Deepti Sharma ran Charlie Dean out for backing up too far. Deepti’s street-smartness worked in favor of the Indian side however it started a full-fledged debate on social media.
Many current and former cricketers came out to criticize Deepti Sharma for not upholding the Spirit of Cricket, however, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar has come out in support of the all-rounder.
Well, in an interview with Sportstar, Sachin Tendulkar backed Deepti saying that she had done nothing outside the rules of the game. He said:
“She was playing to what the laws of the game are,” Tendulkar said when asked whether the Deepti Sharma run-out incident was blown out of proportion He added: “Spirit of cricket… whatever you are playing within the rules of the game, that is spirit of cricket,”
“When asked if he would run-out a batsman like Deepti Sharma did, Sachin Tendulkar hinted that since it’s legal now, he would not hesitate to do it. “It’s a rule now. If a player is short of the crease or doesn’t make the crease, then the batter is given out, right? Just like he misses a ball that’s heading toward stumps and in line of the stumps, he is given out lbw. So the ICC has introduced the rule that if you are out of the crease (before the ball is bowled), then you are run out,”
Talking about Sharma’s performance, she had a historic campaign at the recently concluded Women’s Asia Cup T20. Deepti emerged as the highest wicket-taker for eventual champions India.
