Harmanpreet Kaur scores 126 despite fever as India seal ODI series vs Zimbabwe in Vadodara

Harmanpreet Kaur scored 126 off 121 balls and India defeated Zimbabwe by 121 runs in the second ODI in Vadodara on Sunday, a win that clinched the three-match series. The batter revealed she had a mild fever and took painkillers before the innings.

India were reduced to early trouble inside the first three overs with Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma dismissed cheaply, leaving the middle order to rebuild the innings. Harmanpreet joined Pratika Rawal and the pair put together a 124-run stand for the third wicket that steadied India after the opening losses. Rawal finished with 61 before departing, at which point Harmanpreet remained the focal point of the chase to set a strong platform.

Harmanpreet's innings included 15 boundaries, and she employed back-foot shots, cuts and cover drives to keep the Zimbabwe attack on the back foot. She benefited from three dropped catches during her stay at the crease and brought up her eighth ODI century. Her timing and shot selection were prominent features as she paced the innings.

After Rawal's dismissal, Harmanpreet added a 153-run partnership with Deepti Sharma; Deepti remained unbeaten on 106 off 86 balls as India posted 328 for six. On the bowling front, Vaishnavi Sharma took four wickets as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 207 in 48.5 overs. Those performances combined to secure the series for India with one match remaining.

Addressing her physical state at the presentation, Harmanpreet said: “I had a mild fever last night, and that is why I was struggling when we came back to the field. Wanted to take some rest, and the painkillers are helping me.” She also commented on her mindset at the crease, saying: “When you are batting, you don't think about these things. You are batting as a batter and you want to take responsibility, and bat according to the situation. No matter the situation, I want to enjoy my batting.”

Harmanpreet, who recently stepped down as India's captain, has been batting without the additional responsibility of leading the side and continued to shoulder the main scoring role in Vadodara. Her contributions alongside Deepti produced the match's decisive totals and partnerships.

The third and final ODI between India and Zimbabwe will be played in Vadodara on Tuesday, October 27. That fixture completes the scheduled three-match series.