Harmanpreet Kaur faces criticism for unruly behaviour against Bangladesh | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Indian women’s cricket captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, found herself embroiled in controversy after displaying unsportsmanlike behaviour in a recent one-day international against Bangladesh. The incident, which occurred during a rare tie on Saturday, saw Kaur smashing the stumps and verbally lashing out at the umpires, leading to media reports speculating possible repercussions for her actions.

Kaur’s frustration became evident when she was given out on 14, prompting her to vent her anger by hitting the stumps. Following the match, she publicly criticised the umpiring, branding it as “pathetic.” Such actions did not go unnoticed, and media outlets have reported that she may be fined up to 75 percent of her match fee and faces the possibility of a two-game suspension for her conduct on the field.

Former India women’s cricket captain, Diana Edulji, expressed her disappointment in Kaur’s behaviour in her column for the Indian Express, stating, “I have been watching cricket for a long time, but have never seen anyone behave that way India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur did after the game. She has set a bad example for her teammates. I say that because juniors look up to seniors, and this, over a period of time, can impact the team culture.”
Edulji’s concern reflects the potential implications of Kaur’s actions on the team’s dynamics and overall performance. As the captain, Kaur carries a significant responsibility to lead by example, exhibiting sportsmanship and composure, even in the face of challenges.

Kaur’s conduct took a further downward spiral when she was overheard suggesting that the umpires join the post-match presentation alongside the Bangladesh team. This move resulted in the Bangladesh players opting out of a joint photo session, sparking additional criticism.
Indian men’s World Cup winner, Madan Lal, took to Twitter to voice his disdain, writing, “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 (Board of Control for Cricket in India) should take very strict disciplinary action.”

(With inputs from AFP)