That is the spirit of cricket: Sachin Tendulkar on Deepti Sharma running out Charlie Dean

An event that unfolded almost a month back is still carrying on with the same heat that was poured on it since its happening at the Lord’s. Deepti Sharma ran out Charlie Dean after the latter went down the pitch while the Indian bowler was in her stride.

The world was split into discourse about whether Deepti Sharma should have done that after Charlie Dean broke down in tears. Pundits from across various parts of the world have expressed their opinion about the incident. The latest one to weigh in on with his opinion was none other than the Indian cricket icon, Sachin Tendulkar.

As per the ICC rules, the run-out affected by the Indian all-rounder was very much within the proscribed laws of the sport. With many trying to play foul against Deepti, portraying the sportsmanship angle, Sachin Tendulkar made it clear that it was done within the capacity of the rules and regulations and there is nothing wrong about it.

In an interview with Sportstar, Tendulkar said, “Spirit of cricket... whatever you are playing within the rules of the game, that is the spirit of cricket.” Sachin also made an elaborative effort in explaining why Deepti was very much within her bounds while effecting the run-out.

Highlighting the rule and drawing a contrast with the dismissal, Sachin stated, “It's a rule now. If a player is short of the crease or doesn't make the crease, then the batter is given out, right? Just like he misses a ball that's heading toward stumps and in line of the stumps, he is given out lbw. So the ICC has introduced the rule that if you are out of the crease (before the ball is bowled), then you are run out.”

He concluded by siding with the Indian all-rounder, saying, “She was playing to what the laws of the game are.” 

Post the incident on England, Deepti Sharma bagged the Player of the Series for her fine performance in the Asia Cup where she bagged 13 wickets and scored 94 crucial runs, a performance that was simply an extension of her rich vein of form that started in the Commonwealth Games.