'Spirit of cricket?': Indian player's 'ridiculous' act sparks debate
The Test match between Australia and India erupted after batter Punam Raut's remarkable decision to walk after she was given not out sparked the 'spirit of cricket' debate.
Raut had made a patient 36 off 165 deliveries in India's first innings at Metricon Stadium when a delivery from spinner Sophie Molineux flashed past her outside edge and into the gloves of Australian wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy.
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Despite a half-hearted appeal and umpire Phillip Gillespie shaking his head and saying "not out", Raut turned on her heel and walked off.
With no DRS in play, the classy act prompted a standing ovation from her team and her teammates later praised her for the courageous decision.
However, the decision to walk sparked the never-ending debate regarding the 'spirit of cricket'.
Plenty of viewers remarked Raut's decision to walk was a brilliant act of sportsmanship.
However, many argued ignoring the umpire's decision was disrespectful to her team and the umpire.
Australian fast-bowling great Jason Gillespie said these decisions are a grey area in the game.
"The 'spirit of cricket', and what constitutes this, differs from country to country and in some cases, between states/counties/provinces/islands," he wrote.
"The laws of the game are in place. Stick to these and the grey areas within our game are removed."
The “spirit of cricket”, and what constitutes this, differs from country to country and in some cases, between states/counties/provinces/islands.
The laws of the game are in place. Stick to these and the grey areas within our game are removed. https://t.co/MY6aYqwOuQ— Jason Gillespie 🌱 (@dizzy259) October 1, 2021
Wow! Fair play to Punam Raut. This was her only opportunity on the tour and she walks. Not sure how many other players would have made that decision with their place hanging in the balance... #AUSvIND #Respect #PinkBallTest pic.twitter.com/wQxsXtakYB
— Ananya Upendran (@a_upendran11) October 1, 2021
I’m still somehow not even convinced Punam Raut edged that.. #AUSvIND
— Brett Sprigg (@BrettSprigg) October 1, 2021
Wow that’s a big call @raut_punam. Walking off when you know you’re out is good but there’s no drs for us to check just in case she wasn’t out!@BCCIWomen #AUSvIND #PinkBallTest
— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) October 1, 2021
I'm a big fan of walking at any level of the game. Umpires don't have an easy job. If a batter can make it a little easier on them then I like it when they do. So well done Punam Raut 👏👏👏 playing the game like it should be played 😊#AUSvIND
— Patrick Gray (@PatrickM_Gray) October 1, 2021
That's ridiculous
— Aryan (@NotSoCoooll) October 1, 2021
Poor decision, play on if the officials deem it to be not out!
It’s a competitive game with a series on stake…stop it with the ‘Oh my conscience’ bickering lol.— Arnob (@CrispConundrums) October 1, 2021
Great sportsmanship... Reminded me my district cricket days... So many times players walked against umpire's decision..
— Santosh Kumar🇮🇳 (@Skmurari) October 1, 2021
Punam Raut walks after been given not out. This is harmful, because
1. It is disrespectful towards the umpire.
2. It is selfish in a team game (I wish they drop her and mention this as official cause).
3. It will reignite that nauseatingly replusive phrase, Spirit of Cricket.— Abhishek Mukherjee (@SachinAzharCT) (@ovshake42) October 1, 2021
I must say this is stupidity from Punam Raut. The umpire didn't even give it out. You don't have to be so honest. Foolish decision to walk off. #AUSvIND
— Shakti Gupta (#KKR Repeat 2014🏆) (@realshaktigupta) October 1, 2021
Poor decision, play on if the officials deem it to be not out!
It’s a competitive game with a series on stake…stop it with the ‘Oh my conscience’ bickering lol.— Arnob (@CrispConundrums) October 1, 2021
Players weigh-in on spirit of cricket debate
The two teams were torn over Raut's decision to walk.
Not long after Raut's decision, Australian captain Beth Mooney was asked if she would have done the same thing.
“No way,” she said. “Don't know. The umpire said not out."
Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim also weighed-in on the debate.
“It was very strange to be honest. There is no DRS,” she told Sony Sports Network.
“I hope Raut doesn't regret it now,” added former India women's cricketer Nooshin Al Khadeer.
Teammate and opener Smriti Mandhana said the team initially reacted with shock over Raut's sudden decision.
However, she said Raut's decision had won over the respect of the team.
“First we reacted, like, ‘Oh, why did she do that?’ But, then, of course, it’s something that we all respect a lot. I think she has earned a lot of respect from all the team-mates that she actually walked out," she said.
"And I don’t know how many people would actually do that in cricket at the moment - men’s or women’s," said Smriti to reporters after the day’s play was brought to a close due to rain.
“Nowadays people walk out because there is DRS. But when there is no DRS and to walk out, I don’t know.
"So, definitely she has earned a lot of respect from us, but, yeah, the first reaction was, ‘Oh, was it actually an edge or why did she walk?’ That was out first reaction."
The controversy comes after Indian player Ravi Ashwin hit back at his critics after sparking controversy around the 'spirit of cricket' in the IPL.
The Indian spinner was labelled "disgraceful" by Australian legend Shane Warne on Wednesday for taking an extra run after a fielder's throw ricocheted off his Delhi Capitals batting partner Rishabh Pant.
with AAP
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