Former India captain Harmanpreet Kaur returned to form in spectacular fashion, smashing an unbeaten 91 off just 41 balls to power India to a commanding 92-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third and final Women's T20I on Tuesday.
The win has also helped India complete a 3-0 series sweep against the Zimbabwean women.
Harmanpreet, who stepped down as captain ahead of the Zimbabwe series, was emotional after her explosive innings. She had struggled for runs in recent outings but delivered a timely reminder of her batting ability ahead of India's upcoming assignments.
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Hurricane Harmanpreet took over in Raipur 👌 Relive her 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 winning knock ▶️ https://t.co/QF6V68oG29 #TeamIndia | #INDvZIM | @mflone_ | @ImHarmanpreet https://t.co/ZpFGWi4mlx
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 20, 2026
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Opening batter Shafali Verma also played a key role, scoring an entertaining 69 off 37 balls as India posted a formidable 216/7. Zimbabwe struggled to keep up with the required run rate and finished at 124/7 in their 20 overs.
The two teams will now travel to Vadodara for a three-match ODI series, which begins on October 23.
Harmanpreet Kaur Breaks India's Women's T20I Record At Home
Harmanpreet's unbeaten 91 became the highest individual score by an Indian batter in a women's T20 International on home soil. She surpassed Smriti Mandhana's previous record of 80, scored against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram on December 28, 2025.
The 37-year-old struck 10 fours and five sixes during her 41-ball knock, taking India's scoring rate up a notch after Shafali's attacking innings at the top of the order.
When in full flow, Harmanpreet has the ability to maintain a high-scoring tempo through the middle overs. She demonstrated strength against Zimbabwe, continuing India's six-hitting spree after Shafali's dismissal.
Although the innings came against a lower-ranked opponent, it should provide Harmanpreet with much-needed confidence ahead of a busy period for Indian women's cricket.
One of the key upcoming assignments is the inaugural six-team ICC Women's Champions Trophy in the shortest format, scheduled to be held in India early next year.
Highest Individual Scores For India In Women's T20Is At Home
- Harmanpreet Kaur: 91* off 41 balls vs Zimbabwe, Raipur, October 20, 2026
- Smriti Mandhana: 80 off 48 balls vs Sri Lanka, Thiruvananthapuram, December 28, 2025
- Shafali Verma: 79* off 42 balls vs Sri Lanka, Thiruvananthapuram, December 26, 2025
- Smriti Mandhana: 79 off 49 balls vs Australia, Navi Mumbai, December 11, 2022
- Shafali Verma: 79 off 46 balls vs Sri Lanka, Thiruvananthapuram, December 28, 2025
Shafali Verma and Anushka Sharma Set The Platform
India captain Smriti Mandhana opted to bat first, with the aim of giving more batters an opportunity to spend time in the middle. As part of that plan, Anushka Sharma opened alongside Shafali, scoring 28 off 20 balls.
The opening pair added 54 runs off 32 balls to give India an aggressive start. Anushka pulled Tendai Makusha for a powerful six in the fifth over, while Shafali continued her attacking approach at the other end.
Shafali struck sixes with regularity, with most of her five maximums going over deep mid-wicket. She also used the sweep effectively against the spinners, completing her second consecutive half-century and keeping India's scoring rate high.
After Shafali's dismissal, Harmanpreet took charge and continued the attack with five sixes of her own. The batting-friendly surface gave her the opportunity to rediscover her explosive touch and turn India's strong start into a massive total.
Harmanpreet Kaur Looks To Build Momentum
Harmanpreet had struggled to find her rhythm on the slower pitches during the Women's T20 Asia Cup. She also had limited opportunities to bat during India's successful Asian Games campaign in Japan.
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Her performance against Zimbabwe was therefore a welcome return to form. The experienced batter's ability to strike the ball cleanly was on full display as she helped India finish with 216/7.
With the ODI series against Zimbabwe beginning on October 23, Harmanpreet will look to carry this momentum forward as India prepare for their upcoming international commitments.
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