It's Something We All Respect A Lot - Smriti Mandhana On Punam Raut Walking Despite Being Declared Not-Out

Indian Women’s team opener Smriti Mandhana stated that Punam Raut’s decision to walk back despite being adjudged as not-out earned her a lot of respect. The incident took place in the historic pink-ball Test between India and Australia at the Carrara Oval on Thursday.

Raut edged a delivery to the keeper and the Aussies went up in appeal. The umpire, however, failed to recognize the edge and turned the appeal down. Raut did a commendable job by walking off as she knew she had nicked it. This was praised by many people and it also earned her the respect of her teammates.

“First we reacted like, ‘Oh why did she do that?’ But then, of course, it’s something we all respect a lot. I think she earned a lot of respect from all the teammates that she actually walked out,” Mandhana was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo during a post-day conversation.

“I don’t know how many people would actually do that” – Smriti Mandhana

Mandhana further praised her teammate and questioned how many people in world cricket would actually walk off after edging the ball. Although it did come as a surprise to Raut’s teammates, Mandhana felt it was a commendable decision especially considering the age of DRS.

“And I don’t know how many people would actually do that in cricket at the moment – men’s or women’s. 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?’” Mandhana added.

The second day’s play in the first-ever women’s pink-ball Test saw another interruption from the weather. At the end of Day 2, India was 276/5, with Mandhana having top-scored with 127.

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