Harleen Deol has come under fire for a costly run-out in the first ODI against England, even as Deepti Sharma's impressive performance led India to a four-wicket victory. The incident occurred during India's chase of 259 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
Deol, batting at No. 3, entered the crease after Smriti Mandhana's dismissal, with India at 48 for one in eight overs. She appeared settled, scoring 27 off 44 balls, before a lapse in judgment led to her dismissal. In the 22nd over, Deol tapped a Charlie Dean delivery and set off for a quick single. Alice Davidson-Richards reacted swiftly, collecting the ball and executing a direct hit at the non-striker's end. Although Deol had nearly completed the run, she attempted to leap into the crease instead of grounding her bat. The direct hit dislodged the bails before she could land, resulting in the dismissal.
The dismissal triggered criticism from fans, who deemed it "embarrassing" and "inexcusable". Many pointed out Deol's lack of urgency and effort, calling the dismissal avoidable. One fan commented that Deol was lucky Sunil Gavaskar wasn't commentating, implying he would have been severely critical. Several fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with comments such as "Absolutely embarrassing running between the wickets" and "Stupidest way to get out".
Commentators were also stunned by the dismissal. Replays showed Deol's bat was in the air when the ball hit the stumps. This "brain-fade run-out" was described as a "rookie mistake" and a moment of "extreme carelessness". Some observers noted that the dismissal shifted the momentum back in England's favor.
Despite Deol's unfortunate dismissal, Deepti Sharma's unbeaten half-century guided India to victory. Sharma's knock of 62, coupled with Jemimah Rodrigues' 48, helped India overcome a middle-order wobble and secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. Their 90-run partnership put India in the driver's seat, allowing them to chase down their second-highest total in WODIs. Sharma was named Player of the Match for her impressive performance. India successfully chased the target of 259 with 10 balls to spare.
