India’s Punam Raut triggered the Spirit of Cricket debate on Friday after she walked despite the on-field umpire turning down Australia’s appeal for a caught-behind on Day 2 of the historic Pink-ball Test at the Carrara Oval in Queensland. Punam hit 36 from 165 balls before she edged one to the wicketkeeper in Sophie Molineux’s over in the first session on Friday.

Punam Raut was showcasing a lot of solidity before she pushed at a delivery from Molineux outside the off-stump. The Australian fielders and the bowler went up in appeal but umpire Phillip Gillespie was unmoved.

However, Punam Raut turned back and started walking towards the pavilion, helping raise a few eyebrows in the Australian camp. Raut did not wait for the umpire’s decision as she walked after a superb stand of 102 runs with opener Smriti Mandhana.

India were in a position of strength at 217 for 2 when Punam Raut decided to walk. In fact, the second new-ball was due for Australia. The hosts’ decision to persist with the old ball worked as they got Punam, who was stalling Australia’s charge after Smriti Mandhana’s wicket.

Punam Raut’s show of honesty drew mixed responses from the cricket fraternity. While some questioned why Punam decided to walk despite no availability of DRS for the Pink-ball Test, a few others praised the India No. 3 for her sporting spirit.

Earlier in the day, Smriti Mandhana became only the first Indian batter to hit a Test hundred in Australia. She hit 127 in 216 deliveries, smashing a six and 22 boundaries to dominate the Australian bowling attack.

Smriti’s 127 is also the highest Test score by a visiting batter in a women’s Test in Australia. She is also the second woman after Australia’s Ellyse Perry to hit a hundred in the Pink-ball Test.

India were 276 for 5 in 101.5 overs before rain played spoilsport on Friday. Notably, only 44 overs were bowled on the opening day as well with rain washing out most of the last two sessions.