'Bowlers running out non-strikers seen as criminals': Murali Kartik

India bowler Deepti Sharma stirred a hornet's nest when she ran out England batter Charlie Dean at the non-striker's end during the Lord's ODI last month.

Dean was batting on 47 and taking the hosts to a possible victory when Deepti caught the batter out of the crease and ran her out, sealing a 16-run victory and a 3-0 series triumph.

A bowler running a batter outside the crease at the non-striker's end before delivering the ball has been one of the most contentious issues that has split the cricket world down the middle.

One half sees it is a sneaky way to dismiss a batter before the ball is in play. The other believes batters gain unfair advantage by getting a head start at a time when run outs are being decided by millimetres.

For long, the dismissal itself was classified under 'Unfair Play' section of the laws of cricket that are governed by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). This year, it was moved to the 'Run Out' section, making it a legitimate mode of dismissal.

There’s surely not a person who has played the game that thinks this is acceptable?Just not cricket… https://t.co/VLGeddDlrz

Still, the stigma remains. And also the term 'Mankad', coined after late Indian all-rounder Vinoo Mankad who ran out Bill Brown through that fashion during a tour of Australia in 1947.

Even though the laws around it are now clear, bowlers are eyed with suspicion for resorting to that mode of dismissal.

England all-rounder Moeen Ali, who captained his team to a T20 series victory in Pakistan, said "even when I played cricket as a kid in the garden, it's not my thing" and hoped the dismissal did not become a common practice. He told The Telegraph that the world body should consider removing the dismissal altogether.

It is an issue