India Women’s Captain Harmanpreet Kaur Fined for Bat-Smashing Incident
India women’s team captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, has been fined 75 percent of her match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following her bat-smashing incident during the third One Day International (ODI) against Bangladesh on July 22. Kaur’s on-field behavior resulted in a level-two offense, which prompted the disciplinary action.
The incident occurred when Kaur was given out LBW (leg before wicket) by on-field umpire Tanvir Ahmed during India’s run chase in the deciding match. Clearly furious with the decision, Kaur proceeded to smash the stumps with her bat. She then engaged in a heated argument with the umpire before leaving the field, signaling thumbs up to the celebrating Bangladesh spectators. The match eventually ended in a tie, concluding the series at 1-1.
Kaur did not mince her words during the post-match presentation ceremony and criticized the umpiring decision. She expressed surprise at the kind of umpiring that took place and vowed that Team India would be better prepared to deal with such questionable decisions during their next encounter with Bangladesh.
Even when the trophy was handed over to Kaur and Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, the Indian captain called the umpires for photographs, believing they played a role in the outcome of the match.
Joty, however, noted that Kaur could have responded in a more dignified manner to the umpiring decision.
This is not the first instance where an Indian captain has faced penalties for misconduct. Let’s take a look at three other instances involving Indian captains.
In 2015, during an ODI match against Bangladesh, former Indian captain MS Dhoni forcefully pushed Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman to complete a run. After reviewing the incident, match referee Andy Pycroft fined Dhoni 75 percent of his match fee, while Rahman was fined 50 percent for his involvement in the altercation.
Virat Kohli, known for his animated character, has also faced disciplinary action for his behavior on the field. In 2018, during the second Test against South Africa, Kohli was fined 25 percent of his match fee for aggressively throwing the ball into the ground after complaining to the umpire about the damp match ball.
Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly, regarded as a no-nonsense captain, also faced fines during his tenure. In 2004, during a Test match against South Africa, Ganguly was fined 30 percent of his match fee for showing dissent towards the umpire’s decision by actions and gestures.
These incidents highlight the need for players, especially captains, to conduct themselves in a more sportsmanlike manner on the field. The ICC’s disciplinary actions serve as a reminder that improper behavior will not be tolerated, and players should strive to set a positive example for the sport.
In conclusion, Harmanpreet Kaur’s bat-smashing incident during the India-Bangladesh series has resulted in a significant fine for the captain. It serves as a reminder to all players, past and present, of the importance of maintaining discipline and composure on the field, regardless of the circumstances.
