Lucknow: Former India skipper Mithali Raj said she couldn’t understand what Sophie Ecclestone was trying to do when Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was having a conversation with on-field umpire during their WPL 2025 match against UP Warriorz on Thursday.
Ecclestone’s involvement heated the matter as Harmanpreet was seen pointing her finger towards the non-striker. The incident occurred before the final over, when the on-field umpire penalised MI for a slow over rate, enforcing fielding restrictions as per the rule. This required MI to have only three fielders outside the 30-yard circle.
Harmanpreet was visibly displeased with the decision and confronted umpire Ajitesh Argal to challenge the call. Meanwhile, all-rounder Amelia Kerr, who was set to bowl the final over, was also visibly upset by the decision.
“I believe Mumbai Indians were four minutes behind the over rate, which meant they had to bring an extra fielder inside the ring - allowing only three fielders on the boundary. Harmanpreet was likely discussing this with the umpire and reconsidering whether she would have bowled Shabnim Ismail in the 19th over had she known earlier. But I couldn’t quite figure out what Ecclestone was trying to do in that moment. As a captain, when you’re already dealing with an over-rate penalty and adjusting your field, it can be frustrating to have another player step into that conversation. I think it was just a moment of emotion,” Mithali said on Amul Cricket Live on JioHotstar.
Harmanpreet was fined 10 per cent of her match fees for breaching the WPL Code of Conduct.
Mithali, however, lauded Hayley Matthews’ 68 off 46 balls studded with eight fours and two sixes that powered MI to a six-wicket win. IANS
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