England cricket captain Heather Knight has accused Indian bowler Deepti Sharma of lying about a controversial run-out in their one-day game on Saturday.

Charlie Dean was run out at the non-striker's end by Sharma, who stopped in her delivery stride to take the wicket and give India a 16 run victory. 

Dean’s dismissal sealed a 3-0 series win for India, and left the 21-year-old in tears.

Debate has ensued since the controversial moment, with broadcaster Piers Morgan even describing it as a “pathetic way to ‘win’ a cricket match”. 

But Sharma claimed Dean was "repeatedly" warned during her innings about leaving her crease early.

"It was a plan, because we had warned her repeatedly," she told reporters upon her return to India. 

"We did things as per the rules and guidelines. We told the umpires as well, but she was there [outside the crease]. We couldn't do much."

Video: Watch Deepti Sharma's controversial run-out during England vs India

Heather Knight comments on the controversy 

Knight, who missed the game at Lord’s through injury but was still in attendance, denied Sharma’s claim that Dean had been warned. 

"The game is over, Charlie was dismissed legitimately,” she wrote on Twitter. “India were deserved winners of the match and the series. But no warnings were given.

"They don't need to be given, so it hasn't made the dismissal any less legitimate.

“But if they're comfortable with the decision to affect the run out, India shouldn't feel the need to justify it by lying about warnings.”

Dean also told BBC Radio Solent that she would never attempt the controversial 'Mankad' move herself. 

"I think, myself I'd never do that," she said. "It was a tough day [on Saturday], for sure. I think you can tell that I still haven't quite gotten over it."

England's Charlie Dean and India's Deepti Sharma during a one-day cricket match

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Deepti Sharma of India runs out (madkads) Charlie Dean of England to claim victory during the 3rd Royal London ODI between England Women and India Women at Lord's Cricket Ground on September 24, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Was Deepti Sharma’s run-out legitimate?

If a batter at the non-striker's end is outside the crease before the bowler takes the bails off before delivering the ball, it is called a "Mankad".

The move was named after Vinoo Mankad of India, who was the first to adopt the method in 1947.

A “Mankad” is permitted in cricket's laws, and it deters non-striking batters from gaining an advantage by leaving their crease early, but some argue it is against the spirit of the game.