Ever since the non-striker’s run out has been legitimised by the apex cricket body, it has become the talking point in the entire cricketing fraternity. There’s a huge debate on whether the dismissal is within the spirit of the game. The debate was once again sparked on Tuesday during the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati. Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami dislodged the bails in his delivery stride during the final over of the match as he found the Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka, who was on 98, out of his crease.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma, however, withdrew the appeal as everyone was seen having a laugh about the incident. Shanaka smashed a boundary on the last-second last ball of the match and reached his hundred. He further smashed a six on the last delivery and remained unbeaten on 108 off 88 balls.
Watch the incident here:
Rohit sharma withdraw shami appeal for #SrilankaCricket captain #DasunShanaka
— Bhupendra Singh Chauhan (@bhupen871129) January 11, 2023
What a lovely moments by our captain ❤️❤️❤️❤️.#RohitSharma #ViratKohli𓃵.#sportsmanship #CricketTwitter #INDvSL #RohitSharma𓃵 #indvssllive #1stODI pic.twitter.com/QLCq7Q0nDj
When asked about the incident in the post-match presentation ceremony, Rohit lauded his Sri Lankan counterpart for playing a valiant knock."I had no idea Shami had done that. When he went up in an appeal. Again, he (Shanaka) is batting on 98. The way he batted was brilliant. We got to give it to him. We cannot get him out like that. We wanted to get him out the way we thought we would get him out. But that was not something that we thought of. But again, hats off to him, he played really well," Rohit said.
Virat Kohli scored his second consecutive hundred in ODIs
Coming back to the match, after being put in to bat India posted a massive 373/7 on the board. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave a terrific start to the Indian innings adding 143 runs for the first wicket. Virat Kohli scored his second consecutive ODI hundred as he played a magnificent knock of 113 off 87 balls. Rohit scored 83 off 67 and Gill clobbered 70 0ff 60.
In reply, Sri Lanka lost three wickets early in their innings. However, opener Pathum Nissanka played a brilliant knock of 72 off 80 balls. Captain Shanaka didn’t get any support from other batters and scored a valiant hundred in a losing cause as India won the match by 67 runs. Virat Kohli was awarded ‘Player of the Match’ for his scintillating hundred.
After leading the series 1-0, India will look to take an unassailable lead in the second ODI on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Twitter was abuzz with reactions on Dasun Shanaka’s runout. Here are some of the reactions:
As a captain if I am not supporting my bowlers for non striker run out,then I should communicate the same before the match.Instead of withdrawing the appeal after the runout is attempted.#INDvSL #RohitSharma𓃵 #Shami #CricketTwitter #ravichandranashwin #DasunShanaka
— Kaushik Bhosale (@kaushikbhosle) January 11, 2023
Rohit Sharma messed up big time by withdrawing the appeal against Shanaka. Thats not a great gesture or sportsmanship. Its belittling the sport and competitiveness!
— Aditya (@adityavnathan) January 11, 2023
Such a great sportsman spirit shown by @ImRo45 ❣️❣️ that's why I am his fan https://t.co/DJHwYfUNG1
— Devesh Bajaj (@DeveshBajaj2) January 11, 2023
Ira ridiculous.. Blame runner for not staying inside the crease as he is cheating to not get out while making tight singles or converting to twos..
— ICE🇮🇳 (@saattiisshh) January 11, 2023
This is really a good gesture and shows ethical cricket by Men in Blue.. Proud of you guys..
— Nikhil Deshpande (@Nikhil_d7) January 11, 2023
Seriously hoping someday a bowler mankad #RohitSharma on 98 and the captain doesn't withdraw the appeal. What is this spirit of the game nonsense? IT'S PART OF THE GAME. DEAL WITH IT!!
— Chaitanya Bagwaiya (@Chait_bagwaiya) January 11, 2023
No @ImRo45 should have backed his bowler, Shanaka was run out according to the laws of the game and there's nothing wrong with it. Associating "Mankad" runouts with unsportsman like bahviour should end !!!! https://t.co/JQDJUb3xh4
— Saif (@S41Fx) January 11, 2023
Would a batsman have sacrificed his wicket of a no-ball just because bowler was on a hat-trick? If not then how can Rohit reverse a dismissal because batsman was about to reach a milestone even though it was out by laws of the game.
— aks (@1987Aks) January 11, 2023
You remember Virendra sehwag 99 par tha or aapki team ne no ball kar diya tha @virendersehwag 😡😡 Suraj randiv
— Chandan Kumar (@cksinghnima) January 11, 2023
We know the game is done nd dusted... That's why he withdrew the dismissal.. If it is in the crucial match will he do the same thing? Honestly the answer is no... Pls don't mislead us..
— Pandi Raja (@PandiRa54074457) January 11, 2023
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