Indian women’s cricket team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, has faced significant criticism from the cricketing community following her actions during the tied 3rd ODI against Bangladesh. Harmanpreet not only shattered her stumps in frustration after getting out in the match but also publicly criticized the umpires, alleging ‘poor’ decision-making in the game. While some of her teammates supported her, former India captain Anjum Chopra expressed disapproval of the senior batter’s conduct, suggesting that such displeasure should have been conveyed more judiciously.
Chopra stated, “Harmanpreet should have been more cautious in expressing her disagreement. While there’s nothing wrong with voicing one’s displeasure, the manner and timing matter. She could have chosen her words more carefully too.”
Regarding the issues raised by the Indian team about the umpiring, Chopra believed that the concerns could have been addressed in a more appropriate manner. She emphasized that Harmanpreet should not have made her dissatisfaction public.
“Without snickometer or ball-tracking, it becomes challenging to judge. However, if the Indian team felt aggrieved by a few decisions, could they have handled the situation differently? Did it have to escalate to the point where the Indian captain expressed her dissatisfaction in the post-match presentation? A better approach to communicate their concerns could have been adopted. They could have handled it within the team and dressing room,” Chopra asserted.
Chopra attributed Harmanpreet’s behavior to the team’s overall performance in Bangladesh, suggesting that disappointment over their performance might have contributed to the captain’s frustration.
“The sight was not pleasant. When you watched India-Bangladesh in the morning and the women’s Ashes in the evening, the difference was stark. The pitch played a significant role. A true pitch allows for good scores and a balanced contest between bat and ball. While it’s not the sole reason, it is an essential factor,” said the former India great.
Harmanpreet’s actions have sparked a debate on the appropriate conduct for players, particularly captains, during intense and competitive matches. As the cricketing world weighs in on the matter, it is evident that composure and sportsmanship are qualities highly valued by the cricketing fraternity.
