Harmanpreet Kaur turned all emotional and broke down during the third T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur on Tuesday (October 20), highlighting the immense pressure she had been carrying prior to stepping down as India’s all-format captain.
Kaur relinquished leadership role earlier this month, passing the baton to Smriti Mandhana. Relieved of captaincy duties, she showcased her signature aggressive gameplay in the final match of the T20I series
Her spectacular unbeaten 91 off just 41 balls with 10 fours and 5 sixes marked an emphatic return to form. Having gone 10 consecutive matches without a half-century, this knock was the liberating performance she desperately needed.
During the mid-innings broadcast interview, the 37-year-old veteran could not hold back her tears as she credited former India head coach WV Raman, who was on commentary duties, for his words of wisdom.
She attributed her technical readjustments to intense net sessions with her batting coach, Himanshu Chawla.
“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," Harmanpreet said while speaking to the broadcaster.
“I just wanted to enjoy myself, just wanted to bat as long as possible and glad that I was able to do that. I think I should give credit to you also (to WV Raman). The moment we came, you stepped in and said, ‘Now you do what you want to do’ and that is what I want to do and really want to enjoy myself," she added.
“Thanks for those words. After the Asian Games, I got some time in the nets. I really want to thank Himanshu bhaiya (her batting coach), who has been working really hard on me and today’s batting was all him," she remarked.
Meanwhile, India completed a 3-0 T20I series clean sweep against Zimbabwe with a commanding 92-run victory in the third and final match.
Riding on Harmanpreet’s brutal 91 and opener Shafali Verma’s 69 off 37 balls, the hosts racked up 216/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing a massive 217, Zimbabwe never truly looked in the hunt despite a fighting 60 from Sharne Mayers. Young Indian bowler Nandani Sharma choked the chase, returning stellar figures of 3/18.
