ENG-W vs IND-W: How Deepti Sharma's "fair" run-out brought India together for women's cricket

It should have been a game where all spoke about the legendary bowler Jhulan Goswami, who played her last game for India. However, it all turned into a debate about a legal (and well within the rules) "run-out". 

Instead of celebrating the longest-serving bowler in women's cricket as her team hoisted her up on their shoulders, they were met with boos. 

While it was not for her, it was for what had transpired just a few moments before. But were the boos and all the debate really needed? 

So what exactly happened? 

Chasing a not-so-big total of 170, England were tottering at 119 for 9. It looked like the English could have won the final ODI after losing the first two courtesy of Charlotte Dean (47) and the last batter, Freya Davies. 

The host had reached 153 and looked in control, but this is where India wanted to dominate again. 

Deepti Sharma, in the fourth ball of the 44th over, spotted Charlotte rushing out of the crease before she had even released the ball. 

Calmy, the bowler, changed her direction and took off the bails at the non-strikers' end. While the umpire was signalling a dead ball, India's captain Harmanpreet Kaur joined Deepti from mid-off as the Indian side was staying with the appeal. 

Soon, the umpires went upstairs for the TV umpires to have a look. The crowd heard, "TV umpire to director: Give the best side-on angle, please." After a replay, it was heard, "I have made my decision for the big screen," which flashed out. 

Commentator Nasser Hussain, on air, said, "It would be debated for a long time, but it's in the law of the games. It states that you can be run out. Remember it's in the laws of the game." 

What is the law? 

The ICC had recently made a few changes, and one of them was that they were running out of non-strikers. The rule stated that there was no need to associate the name of the bowler with this and it would simply be called "run-out." The act of a bowler attempting a run out at the non-striker's end is under the 'Run Out' section (Law 38)". Previously, it was listed under "Unfair Play" (Law 41). 

The English crowd tried to belittle and shame the Indian women, saying it was "unfair", and even some England cricketers spoke about the same. 

However, Indians gathered to shut down the trolls and critics on social media. They stated it was well within the rules to run out a batter who left her crease before the ball was bowled.

Many even started trending R Ashwin's name, who had done the same during one IPL game. There was also a war of words between the Bharat Army and England's Barmy Army—two fan groups from the two countries.

While this debate does not look will see the end, it surely made talk about women's cricket. Fans have started paying attention to the women's team as well and this will only give a boost to the Women in Blue of India.