IND-W vs ZIM-W: Harmanpreet, Shafali Unleash Six-Hitting Blitz in Raipur as India Complete Clean Sweep

Harmanpreet Kaur (PC: BCCI Women)

India registered a thumping 92-run win over Zimbabwe in the third and final WT20I in Raipur on Tuesday. After posting 216/7, courtesy of blistering half-centuries from Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s bowlers restricted the Lady Chevrons to 124/7 to complete a 3-0 series clean sweep.

India made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Prema Rawat in place of N Shree Charani, who was rested. After winning the toss, skipper Smriti Mandhana opted to bat but did not open the innings herself. Instead, Anushka Sharma walked out alongside vice-captain Shafali Verma, a move that gave the youngster more time in the middle to showcase her potential.

The Women in Blue made a brisk start, reaching 50 in just five overs without losing a wicket. However, a sharp catch by Nyasha Gwanzura sent Anushka back for 28, leaving the youngster visibly disappointed. Another young batter, Niki Prasad, was promoted to No. 3 but failed to make a significant impact.

Former skipper Harmanpreet Kaur then walked in. Despite hitting a boundary early on, she initially looked scratchy as she tried to find her rhythm. At the other end, Shafali was in full flow, reaching her half-century in just 26 balls.

As the innings progressed, Harmanpreet found her groove and joined Shafali in a six-hitting spree. The pair dismantled the Zimbabwean bowling attack, adding 84 runs for the third wicket in just 41 balls. Shafali eventually fell to Beloved Biza for 69 off 37 deliveries. Biza dismissed her in both the second and third WT20Is, while Shafali was dismissed by spinners in all three matches of the series.

Harmanpreet, however, showed no signs of slowing down. Having scored just 11 off her first 12 balls, she accelerated spectacularly, reaching her half-century in 25 balls and continuing the assault until the final delivery. Together, Shafali and Harmanpreet struck 10 sixes, five apiece, as they powered India to a formidable total.

It was a much-needed innings for Harmanpreet after her low scores in the recent Asia Cup and Asian Games. She displayed excellent wristwork, found gaps with precision and used the depth of the crease effectively, mixing shots that opened the face of the bat with powerful, stand-and-deliver strokes. Her assault sent the handful of spectators at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium into a frenzy.

While wickets continued to fall at the other end, Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 91 off just 41 balls, striking at 221.95. It was her second-highest individual score in WT20Is and helped India post 216/7, their joint third-highest total in the format.

Zimbabwe had their moments in the field, taking some sharp catches, while Biza finished with three wickets. However, their chase got off to a disastrous start when Kranti Gaud struck with the very first ball. Niki Prasad took a sharp catch to dismiss Kelis Ndhlovu for a golden duck.

The visitors lost another wicket soon afterwards, but 17-year-old Biza and Sharne Mayers then frustrated India with an 82-run partnership for the third wicket that lasted 13 overs. Niki broke the stand by dismissing Mayers for 60 off 49 balls, but Biza continued to fight. She eventually fell for 44 off 50 deliveries as Zimbabwe finished on 124/7.

The victory marked a perfect start to Mandhana’s tenure as India’s full-time captain, with the Women in Blue completing a 3-0 WT20I series sweep. The focus now shifts to the three-match WODI series against the same opposition, which begins on October 23 in Vadodara.

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The post IND-W vs ZIM-W: Harmanpreet, Shafali Unleash Six-Hitting Blitz in Raipur as India Complete Clean Sweep appeared first on Sports News Portal | Revsportz.



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