The India vs Bangladesh ODI series ended on a bitter note as a string of controversial events took place during and after the third ODI match at Mirpur. Indian women’s team captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been receiving criticism from all corners.
During the third ODI match, the score was 160-3 when Nahida Akter (3-37) trapped the Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur leg-before. Unhappy with the decision, Harmanpreet Kaur smashed the stumps with her bat in anger before leaving. She was also seen expressing her disappointment by directing words at the on-field umpire while going back to the pavilion.
That’s not it, Kaur did not hold back at the post-match presentation: “The type of umpiring that was happening there, we were very surprised. The next time whenever we are coming to Bangladesh, we’ll have to make sure we have to deal with this kind of umpiring and accordingly, we’ll have to prepare ourselves.”
Even during the photo session after the game, when both the teams came out, Kaur shouted at the organizers to “bring the umpires too”. She had hinted at the umpires being part of the Bangladesh team. The incident didn’t go down well with Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana, who walked off with her team. She slammed Kaur’s behavior and said:
“It is totally her [Kaur’s] problem. I have nothing to do with it. As a player, she could have shown better manners. I can’t tell you what happened, but it didn’t feel right to be there with my team. It wasn’t the right environment. That’s why we went back. Cricket is a game of discipline and respect.”
She added: “The umpires [Muhammad Kamruzzaman and Tanvir Ahmed] wouldn’t give her out if she wasn’t out … We have respected their decisions. The umpire’s decision is the final decision, whether I like it or not. Why didn’t we behave in that way?”
Meanwhile, as per reports, Indian women’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur will be fined 75 percent of match fees for her scuffle with the umpires during India Women vs Bangladesh Women’s 3rd ODI in Dhaka. In addition to fines, Kaur will also be given four demerits points for her behavior.
Former Indian Cricketer Slammed Harmanpreet Kaur
The incident has become one of the most talked about topics in the Indian cricket fraternity, with several experts and cricketers slamming the Indian captain for her poor behavior. Among many, legend Madan Lal, who was a part of the World Cup winning team of 1983, also took to his social media and urged the BCCI to take strict action against her. He wrote:
“Harmanpreet’s behaviour against the Bangladesh women’s team was pathetic. She is not bigger than the game. She got a very bad name for Indian cricket. BCCI should take very strict disciplinary action.”
Check out the Tweet:
Harmanpreet’s behaviour against the Bangladesh women’s team was pathetic. She is not bigger than the game. She got a very bad name for Indian cricket. BCCI should take very strict disciplinary action.
— Madan Lal (@MadanLal1983) July 23, 2023