R Ashwin hails Deepti Sharma as ‘Hero’ after match-winning MANKAD, Stuart Broad disagrees

The 3rd and final ODI of India’s limited-overs tour of England ended in a controversial manner as all-rounder Deepti Sharma executed a Mankad to get rid of the last English batswoman, helping Team India come trumps by 16 runs.

The One Day International was a farewell game for India pacer Jhulan Goswami (355 international wickets) who got a lap of honour after India won the game.

However, a Mankad (now legally called run-out) from Deepti Sharma left cricketers and fans alike in a divide.

R Ashwin hails Deepti Sharma as a HERO, Broad feels otherwise

It looked like India Women were cruising to a comfortable win over the English Women as the hosts were 118 for 9 at the 35 over mark in their pursuit of 170.

Nonetheless, 21-year-old bowling all-rounder Charlotte Dean (47) combined with Davies to add 45 runs for the last wicket in the next 8 overs.

India Women needed a wicket desperately and Harman threw the ball to Deepti. On the third ball of the 44th over, Deepti Sharma caught Dean out of her crease and showed good presence of mind to pull off a Mankad.

Though the dismissal was within the rules of cricket, Deepti had already gotten into her delivery stride and should (normally) have released the ball by the time Charlotte left the crease.

Some thought the run-out wasn’t in the Spirit of The Game and are schooling Deepti for being outlaw-ish.

However, India Men’s offie R Ashwin has come in her support, hailing her as a HERO, while also asking the fans not to trend his name (he once Mankaded Buttler) over Deepti’s.

Sehwag and Harsha Bhogle, amongst few other have strongly come in support of the decision of Deepti Sharma to Mankad her side to a 16-run win.

Meanwhile, England test-specialist Stuart Broad hasn’t liked the manner of Charlotte Dean’s dismissal. Broad added that he’d never like to win a match with a Mankad.

Due to the controversial run-out, Goswami’s last ODI culminated with loud boos from the crowd present at Lord’s– the Home of Cricket.

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Regardless, majority of the Indian Team seemed to be happy with Deepti Sharma executing a Mankad to get India over the line in a match that was getting tense.

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My opinion? It would’ve not been as big an issue had Deepti not gotten in a position of releasing the ball before whipping off the bails.

But then again, Charlotte Dean could’ve been more careful.