Harmanpreet Kaur fights back tears as she rediscovers the joy of batting

Harmanpreet Kaur had just produced one of her most commanding innings in recent times, but it wasn’t the runs that nearly brought her to tears. During a mid-innings interview in Raipur, the former India captain spoke of wanting to enjoy batting again, her voice carrying the weight of a difficult phase as she thanked WV Raman for his simple advice: play the way you want to play.

The moment offered a glimpse into the significance of Harmanpreet’s 91 not out off just 41 balls against Zimbabwe on Tuesday. At the age of 37, the veteran batsman has seen the highs of leading India and delivering match-winning innings, but her last innings was about rediscovering the freedom to play her natural game.

India vs Zimbabwe 3rd T20I: Highlights | Scorecard

“I just wanted to enjoy myself, I wanted to bat as long as possible and I’m glad I did,” Harmanpreet said during the mid-innings interview.

An emotional moment came when she credited WV Raman, who was also the interviewer, 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 those words,” she told him.

It was a revealing admission from a player who for years carried the expectations of being one of India’s most famous cricketers. Proving a point or making a statement was not Harmanpreet’s immediate priority. She simply wanted to spend time in the middle and enjoy batting again.

Incredible hit Applause and appreciation all around Scorecard #TeamIndia | #INDvWINTER | @mflone_ | @ImHarmanpreet BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 20, 2026

FINDING FREEDOM

FINDING HER RHYTHM

The performance that followed her emotional interview was a reminder of what Harmanpreet can produce when she finds her touch. She hit 10 fours and five sixes to power India to 216 for seven in the third and final women’s T20I against Zimbabwe. India eventually secured a 92-run victory to complete the series 3–0.

After the match, Harmanpreet returned to the same theme and expressed his satisfaction at finally getting time at the crease and seeing the runs coming.

“I enjoyed it in the middle. That’s what I’m here for. I just want to enjoy batting and it’s good that the runs came,” she said at the post-match ceremony.

Body language says something Why does Harmanpreet Kaur look so emotional? Is there more going on behind the scenes in the Smriti Mandhana vs Harmanpreet Kaur captaincy debate than we know? Abhi (@abhim3010) October 20, 2026

The innings started with an early boundary that helped her settle. Harmanpreet felt the pitch was good and her bat was coming through nicely, giving her the confidence to continue attacking rather than second-guessing her approach.

“Well, I think the first ball when I hit the four I realized it was a good pitch and the bat was going nicely to the ball and I think I got a lot of confidence from that shot and then I just thought, let me, you know, keep going and we’ll see how it goes,” she explained.

The freedom she spoke of was fostered by working in networks. Harmanpreet credited batting coach Himanshu for helping her work on her technique after the Women’s Asia Cup T20, especially the swing of the bat, which she considers crucial to her game.

“Well, I think the swing of the bat is something that is my key and I want to continue to do that and repeat it in the nets,” she said.

Harmanpreet also praised her coach for understanding what kind of batsman she can be and for re-creating match pressure during practice sessions. The intention was to make the demands of the actual competition less overwhelming.

“Every time we met, when we spent time at the nets, he wants me to still feel the same pressure at the nets, so when I’m playing a match I shouldn’t feel any extra pressure, and I think his tactics, his thoughts worked really well,” she said.

A NEW CHAPTER

Harmanpreet’s innings reached a significant point in her career. She stepped down as India’s captain across formats ahead of the Zimbabwe series, with Smriti Mandhana taking over. The move marks a new phase for the player, who has spent years balancing her own performances with the responsibility of leading the national team.

However, her emotional reaction in Raipur should not be seen as just a reaction to the change of captaincy. Her comments focused on her batting, the support she was getting and the importance of enjoying her time at the crease. The relief seemed to come from finding a way to trust her game again.

This is an encouraging development for India. Harmanpreet remains an experienced middle-order batsman capable of changing the course of a match and her ability to find form will be key as the team moves into a busy stretch of international cricket.

Sit back and enjoy the Harmanpreet Kaur special in Raipur! Scorecard #TeamIndia | #INDvWINTER | @mflone_ | @ImHarmanpreet BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 20, 2026

The three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe begins in Vadodara on October 23, giving her another opportunity to build on the confidence gained in Raipur.

One innings cannot erase a difficult run of form, but Harmanpreet’s unbeaten 91 offered a timely reminder of her ability and the value of patience, preparation and support. She attacked with conviction, trusted her instincts and looked increasingly comfortable as her innings progressed.

The numbers told the story of a dominant performance. The emotion in her conversation revealed something more personal: the importance of rediscovering the joy that first drew her to the game.

For Harmanpreet, the next chapter is no longer about leading India. It’s about finding her rhythm, trusting her preparation and continuing to make an impact with the bat. In Raipur, she has taken a major step towards doing so.

– The end