Indian pace spearhead Jhulan Goswami’s last international match at the Lord’s will remain etched into the memories of cricket fans for a long time. It was a perfect send-off for the stalwart who shone with the ball and took two important wickets to help India Women eke out a thrilling 16-run victory over England and complete a 3-0 series sweep.
However, Jhulan’s fairy-tale swansong took an unexpected turn due to the manner in which India won the match. Chasing a target of 170, England were reeling at 118/9. With 52 still required, the pair of Charlie Dean and Freya Davies got their act together and launched a stunning comeback to turn the tables on India. The duo added 35 runs for the final wicket and were in cruise control.
It was then Deepti Sharma bowling her eighth over did the unthinkable and displayed great awareness to knock over the bails at the non-striker end after she noticed Dean leaving the crease even before the delivery was bowled to run her out.
In contrasting scenes post the run out, Indian players rushed towards Jhulan to congratulate her on a stellar career while Dean was distraught and broke into tears.
The dismissal commonly known as mankading has always been a matter of argument with certain stigma attached to it.
However, governing body of world cricket ICC, in its latest reforms in playing conditions has legalised it and even Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), official guardian of the law of cricket last month moved the dismissal from ‘Unfair Play’ to ‘Run out’ section.
While Deepti was in her right to do so, as expected the dismissal divided the cricket fraternity with current players and experts joining in the debate as to whether the dismissal was ethical or not.
Speaking on the same, former Indian player and ex-BCCI selector Saba Karim threw his weight behind the Indian spinner and said that if ICC has legalised it then there should be no hue and cry over the incident.
“I think Deepti Sharma was absolutely right in taking this call. It is for her to figure out what the batter was trying to do. And if she felt that the batter was trying to steal some more mileage by backing up so far ahead of the popping crease, then she is well within her rights to go for this kind of dismissal,” Saba told in an exclusive chat during the World Cup build-up show presented by Dafanews on NewsX.
“And since now it is incorporated by the ICC, there is nothing illegal in it as it is a legally accepted dismissal. I am perfectly fine with Deepti’s choice this time around,” he further added.