Harmanpreet Kaur, the India Women’s team captain, has been suspended for two international games for her actions and reactions during the third and final ODI of the Bangladesh series. The series was a dampener in a number of ways, from the broadcast-stream quality to poor umpiring to India’s lacklustre performance with both bat and ball. If the way India played wasn’t enough to hurt an Indian fan, then the captain’s misbehaviour surely added whatever was left. Being passionate and aggressive doesn’t give you the licence to lose your mind completely and act like a hooligan in any match, leave alone an international contest. The problem is that the toxic social-media culture further enables such behaviour.
First of all, Harman was not given out lbw. If you see the footage properly, the umpire raises the finger only after the catch is completed at first slip. Harman thinks she has been given out lbw, and even the commentators said as much. But, without thinking, she just went on to smash the stumps. Even if it was not out, that doesn’t give her the right to behave as if she was playing gully cricket. While you might give the heat-of-the-moment excuse, but what about those kids who look up to you? Kids who want to become Harmanpreet Kaur? What is the message the Indian captain is passing on? If you don’t like a decision, behave like a kid from whom their candy has been snatched away?
After that, at the presentation ceremony, she went on and on about biased umpiring. India’s scores in the series were 95, 102, 113, 228 and 225. Indian batters scored just five 50s in six matches across two formats. India might not be worried about the ICC Championship points as they will anyway qualify being the host nation, but a series where they should have taken six points finished with just three in the kitty. Ranting about umpiring is one thing, but then Harman went on to suggest who the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) should call for the presentation? Then during the trophy photos, she made it worse. Is this what we call aggression?
Harman had posted a picture on her social media with young kids, and her caption read: “I’m glad to have met these little girls today who came running towards me and said : Are you the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team? We watch u play. I replied saying “Yes”
I’m glad to have met these little girls today who came running towards me and said : Are you the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team? We watch u play.
I replied saying “Yes”
The minute they left I realised tht Im doing the right thing nd it makes a difference. #humbled pic.twitter.com/x6p94LOWdX— Harmanpreet Kaur (@ImHarmanpreet) October 20, 2022
The minute they left I realised tht Im doing the right thing nd it makes a difference. #humbled” So is this the difference she wants to make? Is this the right thing to do? This is not the first time that Harman has lost it on the field, but this time, she has taken “losing it” to another level. Now, she might not be able to play the Asian Games knockout round because of the ban. Does that mean anything to her? She over-reacted no end because of what she perceived as poor umpiring. Now, if India reach the semis in China, one of their most experienced players won’t be there when needed most. Is this the sense of responsibility that we want to see in an Indian captain?
There is a Spider-Man movie dialogue – “With great powers come great responsibilities” . Becoming the India captain is not about the name or fame alone. It is also about maintaining the dignity of the country, and showing grace in the face of adversity. Hopefully, when Harmanpreet comes back after the ban, she will realise the same and conduct herself like an India captain is supposed to. It’s time for Harman to introspect and set a better example.
Also Read: Both ICC and BCCI Deserve Credit for Harmanpreet Kaur Ban