After allegedly asking umpires to participate in a photo session, Harmanpreet Kaur was accused of misbehaving: Report

After their third ODI against Bangladesh finished in a stalemate, India women’s cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur allegedly urged the on-field umpires to attend the picture session with the trophy.

According to a source, Harmanpreet allegedly said, “Bring the umpires too.” Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana reportedly took exception to this and, after complaining to BCB authorities, departed the picture session with the whole squad.

The three-match series finished in a stalemate after the third ODI, and the two sides split the trophy.

After being declared LBW while attempting to chase down 226, Harmanpreet broke the stumps with her bat in protest at the umpires. Later, at the post-match ceremony, she yelled at the umpire.

Nigar, the captain of Bangladesh, declined to say why she left the game but did tell her Indian opponent to behave “better.”

“It’s all her fault. During a media interview, Nigar was cited as stating, “I have nothing to do with that. She may have shown greater etiquette as a player. I’m not sure what transpired, but having my crew present for the shot didn’t seem right. It wasn’t the appropriate setting. That is why we returned. Cricket is a sport that requires respect and discipline.

“If she wasn’t out, the umpires wouldn’t have given her out. They were competent umpires since they have officiated men’s international cricket matches. What will India say about the six dismissed players who were caught or run out, omitting Harmanpreet and Meghna’s wickets? We have honored their judgment. Whether I agree with it or not, the umpire’s judgment is definitive. Why weren’t we acting [like the Indian players]? Added she.

Smriti Mandhana, the vice-captain of India, defended Harmanpreet by saying that no comments were made towards Bangladeshi players.

“I don’t believe that (she stated). You’ve said it already. She didn’t, in my opinion, make any remarks against the Bangladesh skipper. According to what I overheard, think mentioned umpiring briefly. Mandhana told reporters, “I don’t believe she said anything against them (the Bangladesh players).

“We shouldn’t discuss events that did not occur during the game. Let’s not discuss what occurred after the post-match presentation since it was not captured on video during the post-match, she said.