A day after Harsha Bhogle hit out at the English media’s coverage of Deepti Sharma in the Lord’s ODI because of Charlotte Dean’s run-out, England’s Test captain Ben Stokes responded to Bhogle in a series of tweets and even called out Indian fans.
Bhogle had called out the reactions and stated that it was very disturbing at how Deepti has been treated. He also went on to emphasize that it was a cultural thing and gave a long explanation behind his thought process which was lauded by many fans with many hailing Harsha for calling it as it is.
However, Stokes has taken offense to Bhogle’s thread and questioned why he was bringing culture into reactions on a ‘Mankad.’ The England red-ball captain also claimed that he has been receiving messages from Indians over the 2019 World Cup.
Harsha … bringing culture into peoples opinion over a Mankad?,” said Stokes in one tweet. “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?,” he tweeted in a second post. “Is this a culture thing?? ….absolutely not,I receive messages regarding the overthrows from people all over world,as people all over the world have made comment’s on the Mankad dismissal, not just people who are English,” Stokes further justified his point.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur defended her player and was quick to remind that whatever her team has done was within the rules. Deepti defended herself and claimed that she had warned Dean multiple times before the incident. Footages that emerged since have shown that the English batter was a repeat offender.
Not just fans of the England cricket team but some prominent players of England’s men and major media outlets in the country have attacked Deepti over something that is completely legal by the International Cricket Council’s playing conditions.
