'Bringing culture over Mankad? - Ben Stokes responds to Harsha Bhogle over his take on Deepti Sharma-Charlotte Dean run-out episode

Team England's Test skipper Ben Stokes has jumped into Deepti Sharma-Charlie Dean controversy after he replied to one of the tweets posted by cricket expert and commentator Harsha Bhogle, who supported the Indian all-rounder for her action. 

Notably, Deepti Sharma had run out Charlie Dean at the non-striker's end in the third and final ODI of the recent series to seal the game for India and the series 3-0. Her actions led to widespread criticism with plenty of cricket experts and fans questioning her for denting the spirit of the game.

However, another section stood in her support, branding her actions justified. It is worth noting that as per ICC's new laws, running out a non-striker for backing up too far is a legal mode of dismissal and falls under the category of run out.

Meanwhile, Bhogle recently posted a series of tweets where he lambasted the English media for portraying Deepti's action as incorrect. Bhogle had also questioned England's mindset and culture. Meanwhile, Stokes raised a question on why Bhogle brought culture into the debate.

Stokes also had a response for Bhogle where he said that England should stop believing that the world must move at their bidding. In reply, Stokes said, "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?"

Bhogle was quick to respond to Stokes as he agreed with the left-handed batter that it was not his fault during the 2019 World Cup when the ball had deflected from Stokes' bat and went for a boundary, leading to England's win.

"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," Bhogle replied to Stokes. 

Harsha… bringing culture into peoples opinion over a Mankad?': Ben Stokes 

Harsha … bringing culture into peoples opinion over a Mankad? https://t.co/QNyY8K59kP

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) October 1, 2022

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

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

"I find it very disturbing that a very large section of the media in England is asking questions of a girl who played by the laws of the game & none at all of another who was gaining an illegal advantage and was a habitual offender. That includes reasonable people & I think it is a cultural thing. The English thought it was wrong to do so & because they ruled over a large part of the cricket world, they told everyone it was wrong," Bhogle had tweeted earlier. 

"The colonial domination was so powerful that few questioned it. As a result, the mindset still is that what England considers wrong should be considered wrong by the rest of the cricket world, much like the 'line' the Aussies say you must not cross having decided what the line should be which is fine in their culture but may not be for others. The rest of the world is no longer obligated to think the way England does and so we see what is so plainly wrong.

"So too the notions that turning tracks are bad but seaming tracks are fine. The reason I say it is cultural is that it is what they are brought up to think. They don't think it is wrong. The problem arises and we are guilty of it too, when people sit in judgement of each other's approach. England wants the rest of the world not to like running out batters at the non-striker's end and have been vitriolic and abusive towards Deepti and others who have done it," he added.