With a spectacular 91 not out off just 41 deliveries in the third T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur, Harmanpreet Kaur showcased her big-hitting prowess once again. Recently stepping down from captaincy, the 37-year-old right-hander expressed her desire to enjoy this phase of her cricketing career without the weight of leadership responsibilities.
“I don’t think there is any pressure anymore. I think now it’s all about enjoying myself on the field, and I think that’s what I want to do,” remarked Harmanpreet during the post-match presentation. “I definitely enjoy myself in the middle, and this is what I’m here for. I just want to enjoy my batting, and good that those runs came.”
Having gone eight innings without a fifty, Harmanpreet’s confident innings came at a crucial time. She entered the game at No. 4 during the eighth over, struggled initially with just one boundary in her first 12 balls, before seamlessly switching gears, taking 20 runs off a single over from Kudzai Chigora with a mix of boundaries and sixes. Her confidence was bolstered by an early boundary off Loryn Phiri, a drive through extra cover.
“I think the first [second] ball when I hit for a four, that time I realised it’s a good pitch and the bat was coming nicely to the ball. I think I got a lot of confidence from that shot, and then I just thought let me just keep going and let’s see how it goes,” she explained.
Harmanpreet credited her regained form to rigorous net practice sessions, highlighting the importance of simulating match conditions in training. “I think bat swing is something you know which is my key, and I just want to keep repeating that in the nets,” she said, thanking her batting coach, Himanshu Bhaiya, for his support in building her confidence.
Meanwhile, India’s new captain Smriti Mandhana praised the strategy of rotating the batting order, which she believes has allowed the middle order valuable time in the middle. Mandhana herself did not bat on the day, instead allowing Anushka Sharma to open with Shafali Verma. “In the first match we could not get going again – top order as well – then in the second match the [middle order] did not get an opportunity to bat, so it’s always good to have some game time and always good to have some runs behind your back,” stated Mandhana.
Mandhana also expressed satisfaction with the depth of India’s bowling options, spotlighting contributions from players like Niki Prasad and Shafali Verma. She emphasised that robust bowling options would be crucial to facing the conditions in the upcoming Champions Trophy – a six-team T20I tournament set for February next year in Mumbai and Vadodara.
“The kind of combination we need and the bowlers – the more the merrier. I’m really happy and pleased with the way Niki, Shafali, everyone chipped in,” said Mandhana, considering the dew factor and looking ahead to the challenges leading up to the Champions Trophy.
