Harmanpreet Kaur hits 126 as India clinch second ODI against Zimbabwe in Vadodara
Harmanpreet Kaur scored 126 off 121 to lead India to a 121-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second ODI in Vadodara on Sunday, giving the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Harmanpreet, 37, said she increased her batting workload at home ahead of the Zimbabwe tour, practising three sessions a day to regain rhythm and confidence after a prolonged lean spell during which her run-scoring and strike rate had been questioned. The veteran, who made her international debut in 2009 and has spent 17 years at the highest level, has stepped down as India’s captain across formats and is now focused on her batting and fitness.
India slipped to 19 for 2 in the second ODI before Harmanpreet joined Pratika Rawal and helped rebuild the innings; Rawal made 61 off 67 as the pair added 124 for the third wicket. Harmanpreet anchored the innings and later combined with Deepti Sharma to take India to 328 for six.
Deepti Sharma remained unbeaten on 106 off 86 and shared a 153-run partnership with Harmanpreet for the fifth wicket, a record stand for India Women in ODIs. India’s total set up the 121-run win that secured the series for the hosts.
Harmanpreet had previously struck an unbeaten 91 off 41 balls in the third T20I in Raipur during the same tour, and followed that with the century in Vadodara. Her return to form across both white-ball formats was presented in a BCCI video in which she spoke to teammate Deepti Sharma.
Addressing her preparations in the BCCI video, Harmanpreet said: "I have practised a lot at home. The more you bat, the more confident you get. I batted in the morning, afternoon and evening -- three sessions." She added: "I am someone who requires a lot of training. Looking at my age, I like to spend a lot of time on my fitness. More than that, I batted a lot because I felt like batting was lacking a little. The time I spent at home is helping me."
India will attempt to complete a 3-0 series sweep when the third and final ODI is played on Wednesday, October 28, in Raipur.
