But the view was not universally shared, with Indian spinner Ravi Ashwin calling for Sharma to receive a bravery award for going through with the Mankad despite knowing they would face a huge backlash.
He tweeted: “How about awarding that wicket to the bowler for ‘presence of mind’ under immense pressure and of course knowing the social stigma that he/she would have to deal with post doing it. How about a bravery award to go with it too @ICC ?”.
His reaction came after Kate Cross, the England bowler, said she would not have used such a method of dismissal.
“No, I wouldn’t. Ultimately, it’s Deepti’s choice how she goes about it. Deepti chose to dismiss Charlie Dean that way.
“I’m more disappointed for Charlie that she couldn’t get a fifty at Lord’s today because she looked set to do that,” Cross said.
Harmanpreet Kaur, the India captain, insisted her side had committed ‘no crime’ despite the crowd reaction.
“Whatever we have done, I don’t think it was any crime. It is part of the game and it is an ICC rule, and I think we just need to back our player,” she said. “I’m actually very happy she was aware of that.”
“Mankads” – named after India international Vinoo Mankad, an expert in the practice – are now enshrined as a legitimate dismissal in the Laws of the Game, but remain controversial, with many claiming it is unsportsmanlike.
Dean – England’s No 9 – had moved to 47 after a commanding innings, but paid the price for leaving her ground early when Sharma came in to bowl. A television review subsequently judged her to be out, prompting Dean to throw her bat to the ground in tears before going over to shake the hands of the India players.
