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After the just-finished third ODI between the two sides in Dhaka, India legend Madan Lal criticized Indian women's team captain Harmanpreet Kaur for her 'pathetic' behavior against Bangladesh. In the three-match series between Bangladesh women and India women, the third one-day international concluded in a tie, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Harmanpreet's game-day antics prompted criticism from all sides, and the Indian captain received backlash on social media.
During India's run chase, the Indian skipper smashed her bat into the stumps to voice her displeasure with questionable umpiring decisions before taking her frustrations out on the officials at the post-game presentation ceremony.
However, many believed Harmanpreet went too far when she allegedly asked the umpires to be called so that the Bangladesh team could pose for a photo with the rest of the squad during the trophy presentation, disrespecting the Bangladesh team and the hosts' skipper Nigar Sultana.
Both Indian and Bangladeshi players were asked to pose together for the trophy after the series ended in a 1-1 draw. As she accused Bangladesh of drawing the series with the help of the umpires, Harmanpreet allegedly requested Sulatana to signal for the umpires. Many people referred to her acts as "disrespectful."
Lal, a former World Cup champion from 1983, was one of the well-known figures who criticized the Indian women's team captain and branded her antics 'pathetic'. She should not feel bigger than the game, he further urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take harsh disciplinary action against her.
"Harmanpreet's behaviour against the women's team from Bangladesh was awful. She does not outweigh the competition. She gave Indian cricket a very poor reputation. In a tweet, the former India cricketer urged BCCI to impose severe penalties.
When asked about Harmanpreet's remarks and actions before and after the game, Bangladesh captain Sultana didn't hold back either. When asked why she and her teammates chose to leave the trophy presentation ceremony midway through the game, Sultana replied she expected the Indian captain to have "better manners."
"It is solely Kaur's (her) issue. I'm not involved in it in any way. She could have behaved better as a player. I'm not sure what occurred, but being there with my team didn't feel right. It wasn't the appropriate setting. That is why we returned. The Bangladeshi captain stated that cricket is a discipline and respect-based sport.
