Harmanpreet’s vintage takes center stage as India complete the series 3-0 in Raipur

Brief Results: India Women (216/7 in 20 overs) beat Zimbabwe Women (124/7) by 92 runs in Raipur. (Harmanpreet Kaur 91*, Shafali Verma 69; Nandani Sharma 3/18)

Vintage Harmanpreet Kaur was back and the emotions that followed told a story of their own. The former India captain produced a breathtaking unbeaten 91 off just 41 balls before struggling to hold back tears during an interview and capped off a memorable evening with a crushing 92-run win over Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I in Raipur on Tuesday.

India posted a mammoth 216 for seven before restricting Zimbabwe to 124 for seven in 20 overs to complete the series 3-0. Shafali Verma set the tone with an entertaining 69 off 37 balls, but it was Harmanpreet’s return to her destructive best that gave the innings its defining momentum.

India vs Zimbabwe 3rd T20I: Highlights | Scorecard

For a batsman who went 10 matches without a half-century, the knock was more than just a big score. It was a timely reminder of the power and authority he brings to India’s middle order when he finds his rhythm.

Harmanpreet struggled for runs during the Women’s Asia Cup T20 and had limited opportunities to spend time at the crease during India’s victorious Asian Games campaign. Her decision to step down as captain across formats ahead of the Zimbabwe series also marked a significant change in her international career.

On Tuesday, however, the focus was firmly on the bat.

SHAFALI SETS THE TONE

Smriti Mandhana opted to bat with India looking to give the batsmen more time in the middle. Anushka Sharma was promoted to open alongside Shafali and the move paid off as the pair put on a brisk partnership of 54 runs off just 32 balls.

Anushka made 28 off 20 deliveries, including a whopping six off Tendai Makusha in the fifth over. Meanwhile, Shafali continued her impressive run and followed up her previous half-century with another explosive effort.

The opener hit six sixes, with several flying over deep mid-wicket. She also used the sweep effectively against the spinners, keeping Zimbabwe on the back foot and ensuring that India maintained a high scoring rate.

Shafali’s departure brought Harmanpreet into the crease and the 37-year-old wasted little time in taking control. She smashed 10 fours and five sixes, hit the ball cleanly and repeatedly found the boundary as India’s innings gathered momentum.

Harmanpreet’s ability to accelerate through the middle overs has long been one of her greatest strengths. In Raipur, she rediscovered that touch at just the right time, taking on the bowlers and helping India plunder 62 runs in the last five overs despite losing four wickets.

The result was a total that left Zimbabwe with a daunting chase.

EMOTIONAL RETURN

The significance of the innings was made clearer when Harmanpreet spoke to the broadcasters during the innings break. Speaking to former India head coach WV Raman, she was visibly emotional as he encouraged her to approach the game on her own terms.

“It’s a great feeling. I just wanted to enjoy it and it’s great that I took the time in the middle and really enjoyed it on the court,” she said.

Harmanpreet then thanked Raman for his words of encouragement.

“The moment we came, you stepped in and said, ‘Now do what you want,’ and that’s what I want to do and I really want to enjoy it. Thanks for the words,” she said.

She also praised batting coach Himansha for the work they did during the nets after the Asian Games.

“I had some time in the nets after the Asian Games. I really want to thank Himanshu bhaiya who worked really hard on me and today’s batting was all him,” said Harmanpreet.

The innings came against lesser opposition but the confidence it could provide will be valuable as India prepare for a busy stretch of cricket, including the inaugural six-team ICC Women’s Champions Trophy in the shortest format at home early next year.

ZIMBABWE ABBREVIATION

Zimbabwe needed a near-perfect chase to threaten India’s formidable target, but the required scoring rate proved too steep. Sharne Mayers offered a resisting 60 off 49 balls, hitting four boundaries and four sixes, but did not get enough support to turn the contest into a serious challenge.

Nandani Sharma was India’s leading bowler, taking three wickets for 18 runs in her four overs as the hosts restricted Zimbabwe to 124 for seven.

India’s 92-run win sealed a clean lead and gave Harmanpreet a much-needed return to form ahead of his next assignment.

The teams now travel to Vadodara for the three-match ODI series starting on October 23. For India, the series win is a boost. For Harmanpreet, the night in Raipur offered something more personal: time at the crease, a reminder of what she had and the freedom to enjoy batting again.

– The end