'Now it's all about going out there and enjoying myself on the field, and that's exactly what I want to do.'
IMAGE: Harmanpreet Kaur returned to form with an unbeaten 41-ball 91 in the third T20I against Zimbabwe in Raipur on Tuesday. Photograph: BCCI Women/X
Key Points
- Harmanpreet Kaur scored an unbeaten 91 off 41 balls against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
- The knock ended a lean patch for the former India captain, who hadn't scored a half-century in her last 10 matches.
- She became emotional and broke down in tears during a post-innings chat with commentators.
- Harmanpreet credited former coach WV Raman's words and her batting coach for her return to form.
- The innings included 10 fours and five sixes, showcasing powerful hitting.
Former India captain Harmanpreet Kaur on Tuesday got emotional after smashing an unbeaten 91 off 41 balls against Zimbabwe in the third and final T20 in Raipur.
Harmanpreet had not recorded a half-century in her last 10 matches.
Courtesy of Harmanpreet's sensational knock, India romped to an emphatic 92-run victory to complete a 3-0 series sweep against Zimbabwe. A rampaging India registered their biggest victory at home in a T20 International, while registering their 11th victory in a row in T20 Internationals.
The right-handed batter did not have much success with the bat in the Women's T20 Asia Cup as well as the Asian Games. India won both those events comfortably.
"It feels great. Just wanted to enjoy myself, and great that I got some time in the middle and really enjoyed myself on the field," Harmanpreet told the host broadcaster during the innings break.
Emotional Return To Form
The 37-year-old, who stepped down as India captain across formats before the home series against Zimbabwe, was not able to control her tears in a post innings chat with the on air commentators.
W V Raman, who was also the head coach of the Indian women's team, was speaking with Harmanpreet when the latter broke down.
"I just wanted to enjoy myself, just wanted to bat as long as possible, and glad that I was able to do that. I think should give credit to you also (to Raman).
"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. Thanks for those words."
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Crediting Coaches and Hard Work
The right-handed batter, who smashed 10 fours and five sixes including some meaty blows down the ground, also credited her work in the nets.
"After the Asian Games, I got some time in the nets. I really want to thank Himanshu bhaiya (her batting coach), who's been working really hard on me and today's batting was all him," Harmanpreet said.
After the match, Harmanpreet reflected more on her innings.
"I think I hit the (second) ball for four, and that was when I realised it was a good pitch where the ball was coming on nicely to the bat. I gained a lot of confidence from that shot, so I just thought, 'let me keep going and see how it goes'," she said.
"Batting is key for me, and I just want to keep working on it and repeating those processes in the nets. I really want to give credit to my batting coach (Himanshu Chawla), Manju bhaiya (Munish Bali), who have been working very hard with me and understand the kind of batting I can do."
Harmanpreet said there is no pressure on her anymore, having resigned as captain.
"I don't think there is any pressure anymore. Now it's all about going out there and enjoying myself on the field, and that's exactly what I want to do," she added.
