Is Cricket a Gentleman’s Sport?
The behavior of Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian Women’s cricket team, during the recent match against Bangladesh has raised questions about whether cricket truly remains a gentleman’s sport. After being given out caught, Kaur displayed abysmal behavior by slamming her bat in anger and engaging in a heated exchange with the umpire before storming off the field. Her conduct did not end there, as she further expressed her dissatisfaction during the post-match presentation, stating that they would have to deal with this kind of umpiring next time they visit Bangladesh. Additionally, during the photograph session with both teams, Kaur insulted the Bangladeshi women’s cricket player by demanding that the umpires be included in the photo. These actions by Kaur are completely unacceptable and go against the principles of discipline expected in international cricket. As the captain of the Indian team and a role model for young players, Kaur should have demonstrated better sportsmanship. It is surprising that neither the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) nor the International Cricket Council (ICC) has reprimanded her for her behavior. Merely imposing fines may not be enough to deter such actions, as players are adequately compensated. A ban from games would serve as a more effective lesson for Kaur and others who may consider similar behavior in the future.