Global Courant
Kaur was reprimanded for smashing the wickets after her dismissal and labeling the umpire as ‘pathetic’ in a match against Bangladesh.
Indian women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has been suspended for two matches by the top body of the game for her verbal slashing at umpires and on-field behavior against Bangladesh in a recent match.
Kaur was also fined 75 percent of her match fees by the International Cricket Council (ICC), it said in a statement on Tuesday.
The incidents occurred during the third match of the ICC Women’s Championship series against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Saturday.
In the first incident, Kaur expressed her frustration after her dismissal by hitting the wickets with her bat after being caught on slip-off spinner Nahida Akter in the 34th over of India’s innings. The all-rounder later called the umpiring “pathetic”.
Harmanpreet Kaur has been reprimanded for violating the ICC Code of Conduct during the third #BANVIND OD
— ICC (@ICC) July 25, 2023
Kaur was also reprimanded for her behavior at the post-match presentation ceremony when she openly criticized the referee in the match.
She was heard telling her Bangladeshi counterpart Nigar Sultana to invite the referees on stage, forcing the Bangladeshi players to forego a joint photo session.
The ICC said Kaur admitted she “disagreeed with a referee’s decision” and had “public criticism related to an incident during an international match” and accepted her punishment.
Kaur is one of the biggest stars in India’s women’s game, having launched a women’s equivalent of the lucrative Indian Premier League earlier this year.
‘Set a bad example’
The 34-year-old was seen as an aggressive leader and reliable batsman and led the Mumbai Indians to victory in the inaugural edition of the T20 tournament.
“I’ve been watching cricket for a long time but I’ve never seen anyone behave like this,” former women’s captain Diana Edulji wrote in her column in the Indian Express on Tuesday.
“She has set a bad example for her teammates,” said Edulji.
“It was regrettable to see Harmanpreet calling the referees to pose with the Bangladesh team, suggesting they were part of the team and playing for them.”
Indian Men’s World Cup winner Madan Lal also criticized Kaur.
“Harmanpreet’s behavior towards Bangladesh women’s team was pathetic,” Lal tweeted.
“She is no bigger than the game. She has a very bad reputation for Indian cricket.
India’s own cricket authorities “must take very strict disciplinary action,” he added.
Harmanpreet’s behavior towards Bangladesh women’s team was pathetic. She is no bigger than the game. She got a really bad name for Indian cricket. BCCI must take very strict disciplinary action.
— Madan Lal (@MadanLal1983) July 23, 2023
