Smriti Mandhana Defends Harmanpreet Kaur On Scuffle With Umpire

India Women player Smriti Mandhana has defended her captain Harmanpreet Kaur over her scuffle with the umpire during India Women vs Bangladesh Women’s 3rd ODI. Smriti Mandhana feels that it was just the heat of the moment.

Harmanpreet Kaur was declared out by LBW during the IND W vs BAN W match. Kaur was not happy with the on-field umpire’s decision and expressed her anger. Before leaving the field, she argued with the umpire, hit her bat on pads, and also throw it on the stumps.

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It Was Just Heat Of The Moment: Smriti Mandhana

During the post-match presentation ceremony, opener Smriti Mandhana was asked about her views on the incident. The 27-year-old player said that it was just the heat of the moment. However, the Maharashtra player also added that Harmanpreet Kaur’s reactions were not in the spirit of the game.

“I think it’s just when you play for India, you want to win the match and it happens in the heat of the moment. But I think she wasn’t really happy with the decision given. And she felt that she wasn’t out. So that came about. But yeah, I just feel that it’s just the heat of the moment and nothing much,” Smriti Mandhana said.

“Just knowing Harman as a person and knowing her how much she wants to win for India, I’m sure from the spirit of the game, I wouldn’t say that it is (acceptable), but when you really want that W on the board for India, these things happen,” the left-handed batter further added.

Also Read: IND-W vs BAN-W: Harmanpreet Kaur Blasts Umpires For “Pathetic Umpiring” After 3rd ODI vs Bangladesh

Harmanpreet Kaur also criticized umpires during the post-match presentation. She termed the umpiring standards as pathetic. The right-handed batter was also not happy that umpires didn’t allow a Super Over to happen as the India Women vs Bangladesh Women match ended in a tie.

Batting first in the match at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh Women posted 225-4 on the board. Opener Fargana Hoque (107) stormed a marvelous ton. Her opening partner Shamima Sultana (52) also hit a wonderful half-century.

Also Read: BAN-W vs IND-W: Watch – Harmanpreet Kaur Hits The Stumps With Her Bat In Anger After On-Field Umpire Rules Her LBW In 3rd ODI

Later, opener Smriti Mandhana scored 59 runs for India. However, the team lost two quick wickets at the start in the form of Shafali Verma (4) and Yastika Bhatia (5). Harleen Deol scored a brilliant knock of 77 runs. Harmanpreet Kaur lost his wicket for just 14, getting LBW by Nahida Akter.

In the final over, India Women needed 1 run to win with 1 wicket in hand. However, Marufa Akter dismissed Meghna Singh and the match ended in a tie. As a result, the three-match ODI series between Bangladesh Women and India Women ended in a draw.