A vintage Harmanpreet knock
India won the toss at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium and chose to bat, and the decision was vindicated within the powerplay. Openers Shafali Verma and Anushka Sharma put on 54 runs in just over five overs, with Shafali launching a destructive assault that yielded 69 off only 37 balls, studded with six fours and five sixes.
When Shafali departed with India at 152 for 3 in the 15th over, caught by Tendai Makusha off Beloved Biza, Harmanpreet simply carried on. The veteran batter finished unbeaten on 91 from 41 deliveries, her innings built on 10 fours and five sixes at a strike rate of 221.95. It was her second-highest score in T20Is, and a reminder of what she can do when she gets time in the middle.
“Feels great that I got some time in the middle. Just wanted to enjoy myself and bat as long as possible,” Harmanpreet said during the innings break, struggling to hold back her emotions. The 37-year-old had not found her groove on the slow pitches of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup and had little batting time during India’s Asian Games campaign in Japan, which made Tuesday’s explosion feel like a release.
The 84-run stand that broke the game
The partnership between Harmanpreet and Shafali was worth 84 runs for the third wicket, and it was pure carnage. Shafali’s majority of sixes sailed over deep mid-wicket, and she also used the sweep smartly against the spinners. Harmanpreet picked up the six-hitting baton after her partner’s exit, and India smashed past 200 to finish at 216 for 7, their joint-third-highest total in T20Is.
Beloved Biza was the pick of Zimbabwe’s bowlers with three for 50, while Nomvelo Sibanda, Tendai Makusha and Nyasha Gwanzura took one wicket each. Zimbabwe also pulled off some superb catches in the field, but their efforts were never enough to drag the contest back.
Zimbabwe’s chase never got going
Chasing 217 was always going to be a tall order, and Zimbabwe were never in it. Kelis Ndlovu fell for a golden duck off the first ball of the innings, and the visitors stumbled to 124 for 7 in their 20 overs. Sharne Mayers played a fighting hand of 60 and shared an 82-run partnership with Biza, who chipped in with 44, but the required rate kept climbing past their reach.
Nandani Sharma led India’s bowling with an impressive three for 18, while Deepti Sharma, Nikki Prasad, Kranti Gaud and Arundhati Reddy picked up a wicket each. It was a disciplined all-round display from the hosts, who were in control from the first over of the chase.
A series dominated from start to finish
The 3-0 sweep reflects how one-sided the series was:
- 1st T20I: India won by four wickets
- 2nd T20I: India won by nine wickets
- 3rd T20I: India won by 92 runs in Raipur
Harmanpreet was named Player of the Match for her unbeaten 91. The 92-run margin also underlined India’s batting depth: even on a day when the middle order fell cheaply trying to accelerate, the firepower at the top was more than enough.
What comes next
Both teams now head into a three-match ODI series, where India will look to carry this momentum forward. The hosts have been in fine touch in white-ball cricket, and the clean sweep will only add confidence to the dressing room. For Zimbabwe, the tour has been a lesson in the gap to the top sides, but flashes from Mayers and Biza give them positives to build on.
For Harmanpreet, though, Tuesday was about something simpler: an evening where everything came off the bat, the crowd was behind her, and the big hits kept clearing the rope. India will hope there are a few more of those left this season.
FAQs
What was the score in the 3rd T20I between India Women and Zimbabwe?
India posted 216 for 7 in 20 overs and restricted Zimbabwe to 124 for 7, winning by 92 runs in Raipur.
How many runs did Harmanpreet Kaur score?
Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 91 off 41 balls, with 10 fours and five sixes. It was her second-highest T20I score.
What was Shafali Verma’s contribution?
Shafali smashed 69 off 37 balls with six fours and five sixes, adding an 84-run stand with Harmanpreet for the third wicket.
What was the final series result?
India swept the three-match T20I series 3-0, winning by four wickets, nine wickets and 92 runs respectively.
Who was the best bowler for Zimbabwe?
Beloved Biza took three for 50 and also scored 44 with the bat, while for India Nandani Sharma claimed three for 18.
