Harmanpreet Kaur (Screengrab)
Her unbeaten 91 was also the second-highest individual score by an Indian batter at No. 4 or lower in Women’s T20Is, behind her own 103 against New Zealand at Providence during the 2018 T20 World Cup. The knock marked Harmanpreet’s first half-century since beginning her stint as a non-captain.
Harmanpreet Kaur struggled to hold back her emotions after producing a stunning comeback with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 91 off just 41 balls against Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I. The 37-year-old, who stepped down as India’s captain across formats earlier this month, had gone 10 matches without a half-century.
Just wanted to enjoy myself, and great that I got some time in the middle and really enjoyed myself on the field,” she said. The former India captain’s emotional moment came during an innings-break interview, when she reflected on her return to form and thanked those who had backed her through a difficult period. Her struggles with the bat had continued through the Women’s T20 Asia Cup and the Asian Games, even as India went on to win both tournaments comfortably. “It feels great.
“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. Harmanpreet said stepping down as captain had eased the pressure on her, allowing her to focus on enjoying her time in the middle. Now it’s all about going out there and enjoying myself on the field, and that’s exactly what I want to do,” she said.
During the conversation, Harmanpreet also acknowledged former India women’s team head coach WV Raman, who was part of the broadcast, for his words of encouragement. Thanks for those words. “I don’t think there is any pressure anymore.