The controversy around the runout by Deepti Sharma in the third ODI between England and India at Lord’s doesn’t seem to end as a new Twitter conversation involving Ben Stokes, Harsha Bhogle and Akash Chopra has surfaced online. Ben Stokes took to Twitter on Saturday and asked a question to Harsha Bhogle, who heavily criticized the English reaction to the incident.
Stokes wrote, “Harsha .. 2019 WC final was over 2 years ago, I still till this day revive countless messages calling me all sorts from Indian fans, does this disturb you?.” The question was a reaction to a long thread by Bhogle who blamed the English culture and their colonial mindset for thinking what Deepti did was wrong.
Harsha .. 2019 WC final was over 2 years ago, I still till this day revive countless messages calling me all sorts from Indian fans, does this disturb you? https://t.co/m3wDGM7eU3
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) October 1, 2022
Bhogle was quick to reply to Stokes’ inquiry and said, “Well, you were not at fault on that one so with you there. On the reaction in England to the non-striker backing up, I think it is what you are told when you learn the game and so, part of the culture. Very happy to chat about it one day if you have a moment. Cheers”
Well, you were not at fault on that one so with you there. On the reaction in England to the non-striker backing up, I think it is what you are told when you learn the game and so, part of culture. Very happy to chat about it one day if you have a moment. Cheers
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) October 1, 2022
Stokes’ question attracted reaction from another cricket pundit Akash Chopra, who replied, “Not at all justifiable. But there’s a huge difference between Internet Trolls and prominent cricket voices, for they have the power and also, the responsibility to set the narrative.”
Not at all justifiable. But there’s a huge difference between Internet Trolls and prominent cricket voices, for they have the power and also, the responsibility to set the narrative. https://t.co/655SebQ0YC
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) October 1, 2022
English cricketers were heavily critical of Deepti Sharma’s act and called the incident against the spirit of the game. Players like Michael Vaughan, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and others condemned the act of running out the batter as the bowler was in her delivery stride.
However, what Deepti did was well within the laws of the game. The apex cricket body recently made some changes to this rule. The new playing conditions list the act of a bowler attempting a run out at the non-striker’s end under the ‘Run Out’ section (Law 38). Previously, this was listed under ‘Unfair Play’ (Law 41).
Indian fans were behind Sharma and lashed out at those who launched a scathing attack on the all-rounder. The debate around whether the dismissal is within the spirit of the game or not may continue forever. More comments on the incident are expected in the coming days.
