While women’s cricket continues to reach new heights, it hasn’t been free from controversy. From heated on-field spats to startling off-field revelations, the women’s game has seen its fair share of drama that sparked debates far beyond the boundary ropes.
Here’s a rundown of a few incidents that shook the cricketing world and ignited conversations around rules, conduct, and integrity.
1. Harmanpreet Kaur smashed the stumps, criticised Umpires – The Dhaka Drama
In the series-deciding ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s fury with the umpiring decisions reached boiling point. After being adjudged out, she reacted by smashing the stumps with her bat — an image that quickly went viral. Her frustration didn’t end there. At the post-match presentation, she openly slammed the umpiring standards, calling them “pathetic”.
When both teams gathered for a customary photo session, Harmanpreet reportedly shouted, “bring the umpires too,” implying their involvement was as impactful as Bangladesh’s own players. The ICC cracked down with a four-demerit point penalty — three for dissent and one for public criticism — which translated into a suspension. As a result, she missed the first two games of India’s victorious Asian Games campaign in Hangzhou in 2023.
2. Fake Degree Fallout – Harmanpreet’s DSP Rank Demotion
Off the field, another storm brewed around Harmanpreet, and this time it had nothing to do with cricket. After her heroics in the 2017 Women’s World Cup—most notably the iconic 171* against Australia in the semi-final—she was offered the post of DSP in Punjab Police. But the celebration was short-lived.
She was reportedly demoted from the rank of DSP to constable after questions were raised over the legitimacy of her graduation degree from Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut.
In her defense, Harmanpreet explained, “When you did your graduation, did you go to the head office to verify your enrollment number? Nobody does that. I did exactly the same thing. If I am playing, my focus is obviously on cricket.”
She elaborated further, sharing the academic struggles she faced while juggling cricket commitments,“I completed my graduation through distance learning from Chaudhary Charan Singh University in 2009-11… I was not able to pursue [college] as my cricket schedule and the examination dates used to clash always. Besides, as the college principal had changed, and they did not like me pursuing sports, they did not adjust exam timings as per my cricket schedule.”
This episode triggered a heated debate around athletes’ education verification and the bureaucratic barriers they often face.
3. Controversial Dead Ball – India vs New Zealand, 2024 T20 World Cup
A bizarre moment unfolded during the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup clash between India and New Zealand. Amelia Kerr ran a risky second run after India’s Harmanpreet Kaur relaxed at the end of the over. Noticing the attempt, Harmanpreet threw the ball to the wicketkeeper, and Richa Ghosh completed a run-out. However, the umpires ruled the ball dead, stating that the over had ended as the bowler’s cap had already been handed over.
The Indian captain engaged in a prolonged discussion with umpires Anna Harris and Jacqueline Williams, questioning the logic behind the dead-ball call. Head coach Amol Muzumdar joined the protest, debating the legality of the decision with the fourth umpire. Despite the appeals, Kerr was allowed to stay, and India went on to lose the match by 58 runs — a decision that didn’t sit well with fans or the Indian camp.
4. Phantom Matches – France Women’s Cricket in Crisis
Cricket’s expansion into non-traditional countries came under a dark cloud when France Cricket was accused of staging fake women’s matches to inflate their numbers and secure ICC funding. Former board member Tracy Rodriguez investigated the issue and exposed the farce.
According to her, “Two or three times I [went] there, people were having picnics and kids cycling around at the time of the game. Then the day after I would see the results of the games online.”
France24 corroborated the claim by visiting venues during scheduled matches, only to find no cricket taking place — yet official scorecards were uploaded later. In 2022, a group of 17 players, including Tara Britton, signed an open letter urging an investigation. The ICC, which funds around 60-70% of France Cricket’s budget — nearly half of which is earmarked for women and juniors. This episode has cast a shadow over cricket’s expansion in Europe, just as the sport prepares for a grand return to the Olympics in 2028.
5. Deepti Sharma’s Mankad Run-Out Sparks Spirit-of-Cricket Debate
At Lord’s in 2022, Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma ignited a global debate after running out England’s Charlie Dean at the non-striker’s end. Dean was backing up too far in a tense chase when Deepti, mid-delivery stride, turned and whipped off the bails. The run-out, which handed India a series sweep, was within the laws but sharply divided opinion.
Boos echoed through the historic ground, while social media erupted with opinions on whether the dismissal was in line with the “spirit of cricket.” Though legal, the dismissal reignited the age-old argument about what players can do versus what they should do, especially on such high-profile stages.
While such moments may be contentious, they also reflect the growing competitiveness and stakes in the women’s game — a sign that it’s no longer a quiet corner of the sport but a global spectacle worthy of scrutiny and debate.
