Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Brief scores: India Women (216/7 in 20 ovs) 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 their own story. The former India captain produced a breathtaking unbeaten 91 off just 41 balls before struggling to hold back tears during an interview, capping a memorable evening with a crushing 92-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I in Raipur on Tuesday.
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India posted a mammoth 216 for seven before restricting Zimbabwe to 124 for seven in 20 overs to complete a 3-0 series sweep. 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 flourish.
India vs Zimbabwe, 3rd T20I: Highlights | Scorecard
For a batter who had gone 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 she brings to India’s middle order when she finds her rhythm.
Harmanpreet had struggled for runs during the Women’s T20 Asia Cup and had limited opportunities to spend time at the crease during India’s triumphant Asian Games campaign. Her decision to step down as captain across formats ahead of the Zimbabwe series had 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 keen to give more batters time in the middle. Anushka Sharma was promoted to open alongside Shafali, and the move paid off as the pair stitched together a brisk 54-run partnership off just 32 balls.
Anushka made 28 off 20 deliveries, including a thundering six off Tendai Makusha in the fifth over. Shafali, meanwhile, continued her impressive run, following up her previous half-century with another explosive effort.
The opener struck six sixes, with several of them sailing over deep mid-wicket. She also used the sweep effectively against the spinners, keeping Zimbabwe on the back foot and ensuring India maintained a high scoring rate.
Shafali’s departure brought Harmanpreet to the crease, and the 37-year-old wasted little time in taking control. She smashed 10 fours and five sixes, striking the ball cleanly and repeatedly finding the boundary as India’s innings gathered momentum.
Harmanpreet’s ability to accelerate through the middle overs has long been one of her biggest strengths. In Raipur, she rediscovered that touch at precisely the right time, taking on the bowlers and helping India plunder 62 runs in the final five overs despite losing four wickets.
The result was a total that left Zimbabwe with a daunting chase.
AN EMOTIONAL COMEBACK
The significance of the innings became clearer when Harmanpreet spoke to the broadcasters during the innings break. She was visibly emotional while talking to former India head coach WV Raman, who had encouraged her to approach the game on her own terms.
“It feels great. Just wanted to enjoy myself, and great that I got some time in the middle and really enjoyed myself on the field,” she said.
Harmanpreet then thanked Raman for his words of encouragement.
“The moment we came, you stepped in and you said, ‘Now you do what you want to do,’ and that’s what I want to do, and really want to enjoy myself. Thanks for those words,” she said.
She also credited batting coach Himanshu for the work they had put in during the nets after the Asian Games.
“After the Asian Games, I got some time in the nets. I really want to thank Himanshu bhaiya, who’s been working really hard on me and today’s batting was all him,” Harmanpreet said.
The innings came against lower-ranked 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 FALL SHORT
Zimbabwe needed a near-perfect chase to threaten India’s imposing target, but the required scoring rate proved too steep. Sharne Mayers offered resistance with 60 off 49 balls, hitting four boundaries and four sixes, but she received insufficient support to turn the contest into a serious challenge.
Nandani Sharma was India’s leading bowler, claiming three wickets for 18 runs in her four overs as the hosts kept Zimbabwe to 124 for seven.
India’s 92-run victory sealed a clean sweep and gave Harmanpreet a much-needed return to form ahead of the next assignment.
The teams now travel to Vadodara for a three-match ODI series beginning on October 23. For India, the series win provides momentum. For Harmanpreet, the night in Raipur offered something more personal: time at the crease, a reminder of her best and the freedom to enjoy batting again.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
