Harmanpreet’s 91, Nandani’s three wickets seal India’s series sweep

Vintage Harmanpreet Kaur was back, and the emotions that followed told their own story. The former India captain produced a breathtaking unbeaten 91 off just 41 balls before struggling to hold back tears during an interview, capping a memorable evening with a crushing 92-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I in Raipur on Tuesday.

India posted a mammoth 216 for seven before restricting Zimbabwe to 124 for seven in 20 overs to complete a 3-0 series sweep. Shafali Verma set the tone with an entertaining 69 off 37 balls, but it was Harmanpreet's return to her destructive best that gave the innings its defining flourish.

For a batter who had gone 10 matches without a half-century, the knock was more than just a big score. It was a timely reminder of the power and authority she brings to India's middle order when she finds her rhythm.

Harmanpreet had struggled for runs during the Women's T20 Asia Cup and had limited opportunities to spend time at the crease during India's triumphant Asian Games campaign. Her decision to step down as captain across formats ahead of the Zimbabwe series had also marked a significant change in her international career.

Smriti Mandhana opted to bat, with India keen to give more batters



time in the middle. Anushka Sharma was promoted to open alongside Shafali, and the move paid off as the pair stitched together a brisk 54-run partnership off just 32 balls.

Anushka made 28 off 20 deliveries, including a thundering six off Tendai Makusha in the fifth over. Shafali, meanwhile, continued her impressive run, following up her previous half-century with another explosive effort.

The opener struck six sixes, with several of them sailing over deep mid-wicket. She also used the sweep effectively against the spinners, keeping Zimbabwe on the back foot and ensuring India maintained a high scoring rate.

Shafali's departure brought Harmanpreet to the crease, and the 37-year-old wasted little time in taking control. She smashed 10 fours and five sixes, striking the ball cleanly and repeatedly finding the boundary as India's innings gathered momentum.

Harmanpreet's ability to accelerate through the middle overs has long been one of her biggest strengths. In Raipur, she rediscovered that touch at precisely the right time, taking on the bowlers and helping India plunder 62 runs in the final five overs despite losing four wickets.

The result was a total that left Zimbabwe with a daunting chase.