'If it's there, remove the rule' - Hardik Pandya makes strong statement about non-striker run outs

Hardik Pandya (left) and Deepti Sharma (right). (Source: Twitter)

The age-old debate of the letter of the law versus the spirit of the law has resurfaced in the cricketing world over the last month or so, courtesy of a non-striker run out caused by Indian allrounder Deepti Sharma on England’s Charlotte Dean at Lord’s. What followed the run out incident was a number of former and active English cricketers criticising Deepti and India, not because the run out was illegitimate but because they believed it was unsportsmanlike.

Another Indian allrounder, Hardik Pandya, is one of the latest cricketers to share his thoughts about non-striker run outs. He reckons that there should not be a “fuss” about it since it is in within the laws of the game. He added that if there was a problem with the law, it should be removed altogether.

"We need to stop making a fuss about this. It's a rule - simple as that," said Hardik in a podcast with the governing body of cricket. "To hell with the spirit of the game. If it's there, remove the rule - as simple as that. The ones who have a problem, good for them; it's fine."

It's my mistake, not the bowler's: Hardik

"Personally, I have no problem. If I am walking out , and someone runs me out - fair enough. It's my mistake, not the bowler's. He is taking the rules to his advantage - simple as that. That'll not make a big deal," added the 29-year-old. Hardik is also among many other cricketers and commentators such as Alex Hales, Jason Gillespie, Ravichandran Ashwin and Harsha Bhogle.

Some of the others such as Sam Billings, Michael Vaughan and Stuart Broad among many others, however, don’t agree with this school of thought. Meanwhile, Hardik, who is a part of the India squad in the 20-20 World Cup 2022, played a valuable hand in securing a win for India in their tournament opener against Pakistan, picking up three wickets and scoring 40 runs. He could be next in action on the field against Netherlands in Sydney on October 27, Thursday.