Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur have been in the news lately amid reports of differences between the two Indian cricket stars. After Mandhana succeeded Harmanpreet as captain, speculation about their equation and rumours of a strained relationship have attracted attention. However, on Sunday, October 25, a heartwarming moment between the two grabbed the spotlight.
During India’s second Women’s ODI against Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, Mandhana was seen giving Harmanpreet a standing ovation after she reached her eighth ODI century. The gesture came as the experienced batter produced a crucial knock to help India recover from an early collapse.
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India vs Zimbabwe, 2nd Women’s ODI: Updates | Scorecard
Harmanpreet brought up her century in the 41st over, reaching the landmark off 101 balls. The dressing room erupted in applause, but she kept her celebrations understated, exchanging a handshake with Deepti Sharma before returning to the task at hand.
The century was significant as it was Harmanpreet’s first ODI hundred on home soil since her century against South Africa in June 2024. She also moved past former India captain Mithali Raj in the list of Indian batters with the most Women’s ODI centuries. Mandhana remains ahead with 14 hundreds.
Harmanpreet eventually scored 126 off 121 balls, hitting 15 fours before Michelle Mavunga ended her innings. The Zimbabwe bowler delivered a slower, fuller ball, tempting Harmanpreet into an ambitious shot down the ground. The Indian batter mistimed it off the bottom half of her bat, allowing substitute fielder Kudzai Chigora to complete the catch at long-off.
HOW HARMANPREET RESCUED INDIA
India were in trouble at 19 for 2 after Mandhana and Shafali Verma fell early. Harmanpreet steadied the innings alongside Pratika Rawal, stitching together a valuable 124-run partnership for the third wicket. After Rawal and Tejal Hasabnis departed in quick succession, Harmanpreet joined forces with Deepti to keep the innings on track.
Harmanpreet also benefited from a reprieve on 67. She struck a full toss in the air towards short midwicket, but Josephine Nkomo failed to hold on to the catch. The missed opportunity proved costly for Zimbabwe as Harmanpreet continued to build her innings.
Combining patience with attacking strokes, she found gaps and punished loose deliveries to reach the milestone. Her century showcased her composure under pressure and ability to guide India through a difficult phase.
Harmanpreet’s ODI century also underlined how she carried her form from the third T20I against Zimbabwe on October 20 into the 50-over format. She smashed an unbeaten 91 off just 41 balls, including 10 fours and five sixes, to help India post 216/7 and secure a 92-run victory. The knock earned her the Player of the Match award and helped India complete a 3-0 T20I series sweep.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
