'No need to be abusive, it isn't cool' - Harsha Bhogle on ICC U19 World Cup final controversy

Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle has criticised the action of India and Bangladesh players after the conclusion of the U19 World Cup final on Sunday. The ill-tempered clash ended on a very controversial note as players from the sides were involved in a physical altercation after the game ended. Emotions ran high throughout the game as Bangladesh upset India by three wickets (DLS Method) to clinch their first-ever U19 World Cup.

Right from the start of the game, the Bangladesh players tried to get under the skin of the Indian players which eventually led to ugly scenes in the end. As Bangladesh were celebrating the win, an ugly physical altercation took place between the players right in the middle of the field. According to reports, Bangladesh players passed unwelcome comments on Indian players which triggered an altercation between both sets of parties.

The incident invited criticism from all around and Harsha Bhogle also joined the bandwagon. The Indian commentator took to Twitter to criticise the players’ behaviour after the game. He stated that no matter what happens in the game, the player should shake hands with each other after the end of the game. He also asked the players to refrain from being abusive and instead focus on enhancing their skills.

“The one thing I would like young cricketers to imbibe is that once the contest is over, you shake hands with the opponent. It is one of the enduring aspects of our game & it cannot be disrespected. I hope the BCCI and the BCB feel the need to drive the point home to their players,” Harsha Bhogle wrote.

“And sledging is something to be abhorred. I would rather these young players worked on the extraordinary skills they have been blessed with than get distracted by the need to be abusive. It isn’t cool,” he added.

Five players sanctioned by ICC

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has sanctioned five players – 3 from Bangladesh and two from India – for the ugly scenes that took place after the final. From Bangladesh, Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain and Rakibul Hasan were found guilty of a Level 3 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct for the newly-crowned champions while from India, Akash Singh and Ravi Bishnoi were also sanctioned.

Hridoy, Hossain and Singh were all handed six demerit points, with Rakibul and Bishnoi given five for the post-match incidents. Bishnoi was slapped with a further two demerit points for using “language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter” after dismissing Avishek Das.

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