Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur have recently been in the spotlight due to reports suggesting tensions between the two Indian cricket players. Following Mandhana’s appointment as captain, speculation about their relationship has surfaced. However, on October 25, a touching moment unfolded during the second Women’s ODI against Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara, where Mandhana was seen giving Harmanpreet a standing ovation after she achieved her eighth ODI century.

This gesture highlighted the camaraderie between the players, particularly as Harmanpreet played a crucial role in stabilising the Indian innings following an early collapse. Her century not only marked a personal milestone but also served as a pivotal moment in the match.

Harmanpreet’s Performance and Milestone

Harmanpreet reached her century in the 41st over, achieving the landmark off 101 balls. As she crossed the milestone, the dressing room erupted in applause, although she maintained a composed celebration, opting for a handshake with teammate Deepti Sharma before refocusing on her innings. This century was particularly significant as it was Harmanpreet’s first ODI hundred on home soil since her performance against South Africa in June 2024.

With this century, she surpassed former India captain Mithali Raj in the list of Indian batters with the most Women’s ODI centuries, although Mandhana remains ahead with 14 centuries. Harmanpreet concluded her innings with a score of 126 off 121 balls, which included 15 fours, before being dismissed by Zimbabwe’s Michelle Mavunga.

The dismissal occurred when Harmanpreet attempted an ambitious shot, mistiming a slower delivery, allowing substitute fielder Kudzai Chigora to take the catch at long-off. Despite this, her innings was instrumental in setting a strong foundation for the team.

Rescue Efforts Amid Early Struggles

India faced a challenging start, finding themselves at 19 for 2 after the early dismissals of Mandhana and Shafali Verma. Harmanpreet’s steadying presence alongside Pratika Rawal proved vital, as they forged a significant 124-run partnership for the third wicket. This partnership was crucial in reviving the innings after the initial setbacks.

Following the quick dismissals of Rawal and Tejal Hasabnis, Harmanpreet partnered with Deepti Sharma to maintain the momentum of the innings. During her innings, she received a fortunate reprieve when she was on 67; Josephine Nkomo failed to hold onto a catch at short midwicket, a missed opportunity that allowed Harmanpreet to continue building her score.

Harmanpreet’s innings displayed a blend of patience and aggression, as she effectively found gaps and capitalised on loose deliveries. Her century was a testament to her ability to remain composed under pressure and guide her team through a challenging phase of the match.

Continuing Form from T20I Series

Harmanpreet’s performance in the ODI format also highlighted her consistent form, which she carried over from the third T20I against Zimbabwe on October 20. In that match, she scored an unbeaten 91 off just 41 balls, contributing significantly to India’s total of 216/7 and securing a 92-run victory.

This impressive performance earned her the Player of the Match award and played a key role in India completing a 3-0 T20I series sweep. Her ability to transition successfully from T20 to ODI format underscores her versatility as a player and her importance to the Indian women’s cricket team.

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