'I am not a dictator in the dressing room'

Bangladesh women's team captain Nigar Sultana Joty has found herself at the centre of controversy in recent months, accused of everything from physically assaulting juniors to influencing the careers of senior cricketers. As the chatter intensified, so did the scrutiny on her leadership.

Currently undergoing rehab at BKSP for a shinbone injury, the Bangladesh skipper sat down for an unfiltered conversation. Calm but firm, she addressed every allegation, from dressing-room "dictatorship" to her strained equations with former senior players, and reflected on the team's future heading into the India series.

On her rehabilitation:
It's going quite well. I decided to skip the NCL to focus entirely on rehab. For the last three to four months, I've been dealing with a shinbone injury, but I continued because the World Cup was very important. When we were in Mumbai, the doctors examined me and suggested I needed at least a four-to-six-week break.

On World Cup performance:
Yes, this World Cup did not go in my favour. I've always been very consistent. Every player goes through phases where they're a bit off. This World Cup, considering how hard I worked, I could not play up to the mark. Had I been consistent, the team might have had a better chance of winning two more matches.

On being called a 'dictator' in the dressing room:
I am definitely not a dictator. Every player has a place in the dressing room, and I have the same. Yes, as captain I may get respect differently, but the benefits and treatment are the same for everyone. I don't know who is saying these things or why. I've been captain for a long time. I don't expect everyone to like me. But I know what I'm doing for the team and what my intentions truly are.

On allegations she pushed out former captains Jahanara Alam and Rumana Ahmed:
I've been hearing this for a long time: that I removed them because they were performers, captain candidates. When I became captain in 2021, I wasn't added to the selection panel until the Australia series in 2023. Before that, I had no involvement in selection discussions. Other players would go to team meetings not knowing the eleven; I didn't know either.

Once in New Zealand, Salma apu told me, "You have made us sit out." I said, "Salma apu, please believe me, I know nothing about this. I found out the eleven the same way you did." She replied, "So are you just here to do the toss as captain?"

On selection process:
When I was finally added to the think-tank, everyone gives feedback. All the coaching staff are there. Then the head coach, selectors, physio and I discuss. Every member gives input for the eleven, but the final call is made by the selector and head coach. I only give feedback. The same process applies for the 15-member squad. The ultimate call is the selector's.

So why do they keep saying they were dropped because of me? I wasn't even a selector then. Why are they blaming me, and why do they have so much anger and jealousy towards me?

On relationship deterioration with senior players:
Salma apu is my idol. Watching her is why I came into cricket. Playing with her and Rumana apu was a dream for us. But when I was given the captaincy, the problem started. I've heard that before a very important match, four or five of them decided they would not play under a junior. Before a vital match, when we should have been focused on the opposition, they were planning not to play under me.

The main issue is acceptance. They could not accept that a girl came from nowhere and became captain while they were senior players.

On allegations of abusive language or physical assault:
This is a wrong accusation. Only one person said this, not multiple juniors.

About language: in the heat of the moment, I may say things like "Why didn't you pick the ball?" "You can do better," "What are you doing?" Everyone says this. My voice is heard more because the mouthpiece is near me. But why would I use abusive language? Do I seem mentally unstable? I don't come from such a family, and I have no right to verbally abuse anyone.

Murshida said in the 2022 NCL I slapped her. But I didn't even play in her team that year. We were in different teams. I barely spoke to her. Who saw me slap her? What proof does she have?

On incident with Marufa in Sri Lanka:
In Sri Lanka before the T20 World Cup, we were playing with the A team. From the Pakistan series onwards, Marufa was having problems with high catching. But Marufa is one of the best fielders in my team, and I trust her blindly.

In the match, a crucial situation was happening. The A team and national team were neck and neck. Marufa dropped a catch. Her bowling quota was already finished. After dropping it, she was looking at her hand. I was thinking about the World Cup, worried whether her hand was hurt. Her right hand is her bowling hand. There were other fielders available. So I said, "Marufa, you come off."

When the game ended, I went straight to her. She's a young girl, I know her well, I love her immensely. When I reached her, she was crying. I hugged her like my little sister and said, "Baba, I asked you to come off for this reason." She told me, "Apu, I am not crying for that. I'm upset because I'm missing (catches) like this."

On restoring trust ahead of India series:
It will be very difficult. First, a trust issue has arisen. Second, the friendly environment, the bonding between seniors and juniors, if I try to create that again, I don't know how long it will take.

When we played at the World Cup, there was no chaos, no problems. We backed each other, supported each other. One thing I want to say: you can never earn love, respect and support by raising your hand or insulting someone. You cannot force respect or love. I am earning it.