India's 1983 World Cup hero slams Harmanpreet for her 'pathetic' behaviour against Bangladesh

Harmanpreet Kaur criticised the umpiring in the match and ridiculed the Bangladesh team while attending a photo session

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Harmanpreet Kaur (right) during the post-match presentation. — Twitter

By AFP

Published: Mon 24 Jul 2023, 12:42 PM

Last updated: Mon 24 Jul 2023, 3:05 PM

India women's cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur faced a backlash after she took an unprecedented swipe at the umpires after her team drew the third match of a one-day series against Bangladesh.

The draw in Dhaka meant the series ended 1-1, and Kaur was displeased as she felt her team suffered due to poor umpiring decisions. Kaur smashed the stumps after being given out for 14 during the match, and later criticised the umpiring.

"Some pathetic umpiring was done, and we are really disappointed about some decisions given by the umpires," she said.

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Local media reported that when both teams were attending a photo session, Kaur shouted "bring the umpires too", apparently suggesting they were part of the Bangladesh squad.

But the Indian captain was slammed for her action on social media.

Madan Lal, one of the heroes of India's 1983 World Cup-winning team, wants strong actions against Kaur for her poor conduct.

"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 tweeted.

Senior Indian sports journalist Vikrant Gupta also didn't mince words on Twitter.

"No matter whatever happened with umpiring. Harmanpreet had no business to be the prima donna and behave the way she did. Loud and clear," senior Indian sports Gupta tweeted.

Another Indian sports writer, Sarah Waris, wrote on Twitter: This is just demeaning the opponent, who have played terrificly throughout both series."

A Bangladesh Cricket Board official said that Kaur could be fined 75 percent of her match fee -- 50 percent for smashing the stumps, and 25 percent for her criticism of the umpires.

Teammate Smriti Mandhana later defended Kaur's smashing of stumps.

"She felt that she isn't out... I just feel that it's just the heat of the moment and nothing much," Mandhana said.

"We kind of expect a little better level," she added. "There was not even a second thought given when the ball was hitting the pad when our batters were batting."

She said the International Cricket Council, as well as both countries' governing bodies, should "have more of a discussion on that, and maybe we can have a neutral umpiring system from maybe next time".

But Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty said her Indian counterpart failed to show the spirit of cricket after the game.

“It’s what she did and we have nothing to do about it. But as a player, she should have spoken with a bit of manners. It’s completely her matter and I would not want to make any comments on her," Sultana said.

"There were some talks which I cannot disclose. But I felt the environment was not right and so we left the place. Cricket is a respectful sport and is a gentlemen’s game."

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AFP

Published: Mon 24 Jul 2023, 12:42 PM

Last updated: Mon 24 Jul 2023, 3:05 PM

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