Deepti Sharma 'Mankad' Incident: What is 'Mankading'? MCC explains controversial run out rules as debate rages | Watch Video

Deepti Sharma 'Mankad' Run Out Incident: The Indian women's team beat England at Lord's on Saturday to sweep the three-match series and give a fitting farewell to the legendary Jhulan Goswami. But the entire discourse around the match reveolved around India spinner Deepti Sharma's run-out of Charlie Dean at the non-striker's end. The incident didn't sit comfortably with England fans and pundits while Indian fans had a field day on Twitter.

Deepti Sharma 'Mankad' Incident: What exactly happened

In the 44th over of England's innings, Deepti Sharma came up to bowl to number eleven Freya Davies. Charlie Dean, at the non-striker's end, attempted to leave the crease early and steal a few yards by wandering out of non-striker's end.

On seeing that, Deepti turned around to run her out in her delivery stride, which meant a 16-run win for India and a 3-0 series sweep.

Deepti`s run-out of Charlie immediately attracted boos from the crowd at the Lord's Cricket Ground and divided the cricketing world yet again on the run-out from non-striker`s end rule, which is valid as per the laws of the game.

Watch Deepti Sharma Mankad Video

Highlights | India Women seal the Royal London Series 3-0 with a win in front of a record crowd at Lord's.#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/L0CBtfbRzp

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 25, 2022

What is Mankad run out? Is it legal?

In cricket, Mankading (named after former Indian cricketer Vinoo Mankad) is the informal name given to running out the non-striking batsman whilst they're backing up too far. This happens when the non-striker begins to leave the crease while the bowler is in their final delivery stride. This kind of run-out is legal as per the Laws of Cricket, but there's a long term implied rule regarding the spirit of the game. This implied rule suggests that the bowler or captain of the bowling side should warn the batsman on the non-striker end (runner) first before performing the run out attempt.

MCC Statement on Deepti Sharma Mankad Incident

A statement tweeted by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), states that the rules clearly favour Deepti Sharma in the 'Mankad' run out incident against England. 

"MCC THIS YEAR ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE LAWS OF CRICKET TO MOVE BEING RUN OUT AT THE NON-STRIKER'S END, FROM LAW 41 UNFAIR PLAY, TO LAW 38 RUN OUT.

This change will formally come into effect from 1 October 2022.  This was done to clarify this matter and to place an onus on batters to ensure that they do not leave the crease at the non-striker’s end, prior to a bowler releasing the ball. 

The Law is clear, as it needs to be for all umpires to be able to easily interpret throughout all levels of the game and at all moments in the game.

Cricket is a broad church and the spirit by which it is played is no different.  As custodians of the Spirit of Cricket, MCC appreciates its application is interpreted differently across the globe. 

Respectful debate is healthy and should continue, as where one person sees the bowler as breaching the Spirit in such examples, another will point at the non-striker gaining an unfair advantage by leaving their ground early. 

MCC's message to non-strikers continues to be to remain in their ground until they have seen the ball leave the bowler's hand. Then dismissals, such as the one seen yesterday, cannot happen.

Whilst yesterday was indeed an unusual end to an exciting match, it was properly officiated and should not be considered as anything more."

MCC comment on the Run out at the non-striker's end at @HomeOfCricket yesterday #CricketTwitter | #ENGvIND

— Marylebone Cricket Club (@MCCOfficial) September 25, 2022