Vadodara, October 2026 : India batter Harmanpreet Kaur said her priority was to enjoy her batting and take responsibility for the team after smashing a magnificent century in the second women’s ODI against Zimbabwe, despite battling a mild fever. The former India captain was named Player of the Match following her match-winning 126 in India’s 121-run victory at the BCA Stadium on Sunday.
Harmanpreet’s outstanding innings helped India recover from an early collapse and post 328/6 in 50 overs. India subsequently bowled Zimbabwe out for 207 in 48.5 overs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with one match remaining.
Walking in with India struggling at 19/2, Harmanpreet struck 15 boundaries in her 121-ball knock. She first combined with Pratika Rawal, who scored 61, in a 124-run third-wicket partnership before sharing a record 153-run stand for the fifth wicket with Deepti Sharma, who remained unbeaten on 106.
Speaking during the post-match presentation ceremony, Harmanpreet said she wanted to continue enjoying her batting rather than allow external circumstances to affect her approach.
“As I said, I just want to enjoy my batting. That’s what I did, and that’s what I want to keep doing,” she said.
The experienced batter also revealed that she had suffered from a mild fever the previous night and struggled with the conditions when she returned to the field during the afternoon.
“I actually had a mild fever last night. That’s why I was struggling when we came back to the field, and I just wanted to take some rest. And I think the painkillers, everything, are helping me, and hopefully I’ll come back stronger,” Harmanpreet said.
Despite the discomfort and the heat, she remained composed at the crease, anchoring India’s innings and accelerating when opportunities arose. Her performance proved decisive in helping India recover from the early setbacks and build a formidable total.
Simple Game Plan Helped India Recover
Asked about her approach after India lost two early wickets and whether she had deliberately targeted the off side, Harmanpreet said she and Pratika had agreed to follow a straightforward plan suited to the demands of one-day international cricket.
The pair focused on respecting deliveries bowled in the right areas while ensuring that loose balls were punished.
“Well, today we were playing an ODI format, and in ODI format, you have to act differently. Pratika and I both decided that we have to respect if they’re bowling in the right areas, and at the same time, if we’re getting any loose ball, we have to punish that,” she said.
Harmanpreet described the plan as a simple and clear message between the two batters, who concentrated on reacting to the deliveries rather than overcomplicating their approach.
Their partnership provided India with the stability needed after Zimbabwe’s Nomvelo Sibanda dismissed Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma early in the innings. Pratika’s positive strokeplay and Harmanpreet’s controlled aggression gradually shifted the momentum towards the hosts.
After Pratika’s dismissal, Harmanpreet continued to build the innings with Deepti, whose attacking strokeplay helped India accelerate during the final overs. Their partnership established a new Indian women’s ODI record for the fifth wicket or lower.
Harmanpreet Embraces New Phase of Career
Harmanpreet also reflected on adjusting to a new phase in her career after stepping down from the India captaincy. She acknowledged that the past few weeks had brought emotional changes but said she wanted to accept the present situation and concentrate on cricket.
“Well, I’m somebody who always likes to live life close to reality, and this is the reality now, and I just want to accept it in whatever way it is,” she said.
The batter added that cricket had consistently brought her happiness throughout her career, with batting remaining one of her greatest sources of enjoyment.
“At the same time, cricket is something which has always given me happiness, and batting is something which I’ve been enjoying throughout my career. And today, and whenever I’m going to step in, I just want to enjoy my batting,” Harmanpreet said.
When asked whether her strong batting form made her miss the captaincy any less, she explained that such thoughts did not occupy her mind while she was at the crease.
“When you’re batting, you don’t think these kinds of things. When you’re batting, you’re batting as a batter, and you want to take responsibility for the team,” she said.
Harmanpreet emphasised that her focus remained on assessing the match situation, taking responsibility and contributing to the team’s cause, regardless of her role within the squad.
Her century against Zimbabwe offered a strong example of that approach, as she steadied the innings under pressure before helping India establish a winning total.
Vaishnavi Sharma Credits Preparation for Maiden Four-Wicket Haul
Young left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma also had a memorable outing, claiming her maiden four-wicket haul in international cricket. She returned figures of 4/39 from 10 overs, playing a crucial role in restricting Zimbabwe to 207.
Vaishnavi said she had used her time away from the team to improve several aspects of her bowling, including pace, variations, reading batters and understanding match situations.
“I am feeling very good, it is a great feeling. I had prepared mentally, and what I could develop. The gap that I got from the team, I worked on a lot of things,” she said.
She added that she had worked on varying her speed, understanding batters’ intentions and remaining aware of the match situation. During the game, she focused on sticking to her plans and enjoying the opportunity.
Asked whether she had made significant changes to her bowling action, Vaishnavi said the adjustment had been minor.
“I have not changed a lot, but maybe I am holding the ball a little more when releasing,” she explained.
Asked to identify her favourite wicket from the four she claimed, the spinner smiled and picked all four, before highlighting the delivery that hit the top of off-stump.
“All four. The fourth wicket where I hit the top of off,” she said.
Vaishnavi’s performance, combined with Deepti’s three wickets, helped India complete a convincing victory. With the series already secured, India will now aim to carry their momentum into the final ODI, while Harmanpreet will look to build on her impressive return to form.
Score: India 328/6 in 50 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 126, Deepti Sharma 106 not out, Pratika Rawal 61) beat Zimbabwe 207 all out in 48.5 overs (Modester Mupachikwa 49, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano 46; Vaishnavi Sharma 4/39, Deepti Sharma 3/32) by 121 runs. India lead the three-match series 2-0.
Player of the Match: Harmanpreet Kaur.
