No, no, not the way, Harman!

Indian Women’s skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is in hot water for her boorish behaviour during the third ODI against Bangladesh.

She was rightly suspended by the ICC for shattering the stumps after being adjudged leg before and publicly criticising match officials.

Kaur was adjudged out off a Nahida Akter delivery while trying to sweep, but she claimed that she got a bottom edge. In a fit of rage, she shattered the stumps before walking back to the pavilion.

Later at the post-match presentation ceremony, she termed the level of umpiring as “pathetic” and also sarcastically mentioned that the umpires should be called to join the teams for the trophy handing-over ceremony.

Her rude behaviour prompted Bangladesh skipper Nigar Sultana to walk away with her team and urge her Indian counterpart to learn some “manners.” Kaur’s attitude is unacceptable and has rightly been met with widespread criticism.

She is a role model for young cricketers but her actions have set a poor example. Kaur’s graceless conduct has underlined the deep-seated problems in women’s cricket. Her outburst is unacceptable and cannot be excused as a heat of the moment occurence.

The Bangladesh players’ response, a quiet walkout from the podium led by the captain, said it all. The captain’s conduct was also condescending and bizarre. She called the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to ask why the Indian High Commissioner was not invited to the presentation ceremony. This was a completely unnecessary and rude gesture.

The skipper’s outburst has been interpreted as a sign of frustration at her team’s poor performance. However, it is also possible that her conduct stems from a deep-seated “arrogance” that comes from representing the richest cricket board in the world.

Whatever the reason, Kaur’s reaction is unacceptable and needs to be addressed. Women’s cricket needs to set a high standard, and Kaur’s attitude is a setback for the sport. The Indian women’s cricket team has been plagued by problems for some time now.

There have been clashes between players and coaches, coaches have been replaced at the request of captains, and there have been reports of cliques forming. While it is inspiring that these players have broken through barriers to reach the top, it is important to take steps to prevent a decline in performance or even worse, unbecoming behaviour.

The cricket board needs to step in and establish some checks and balances. As Sunil Gavaskar said about the men’s team, the board needs to ask tough questions of the captain and management about their performances and conduct on tour, and draw a line. Kaur has become the first women’s player to be handed a Level 2 sanction by the ICC since 2016.

This is a serious offen, and it is a reflection of her poor actions. As a representative of a nation like India, the cricket team is expected to show respect to the opposition, especially in a series where Bangladesh played and fought hard.

Her actions were disgraceful and atrocious, where she should conduct herself in a dignified manner. As a role model for young girls, she should set a good example for her teammates. Her demeanour could have a negative impact on the team culture over time.