Raipur, Oct 20 (PTI) Former captain Harmanpreet Kaur struggled to keep her emotions in check after a sizzling 91 not out off 41 balls, setting up India's commanding 92-run win over Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I here on Tuesday.
Shafali Verma made an entertaining 69 off 37 balls before Harmanpreet returned to her destructive best to power India 216 for seven.
On expected lines, Zimbabwe could not get anywhere near the massive target and and ended at 124 for seven in 20 overs, with India taking the series 3-0.
The two teams will now head to Vadodara for a three-match ODI series starting on October 23.
The game marked the return to form for Harmanpreet, who was struggling for runs of late and stepped down as captain ahead of the Zimbabwe series.
When in full swing, Harmanpreet enables India to maintain a high-scoring tempo in the middle overs. And that is what happened on Tuesday as she went hammer and tongs following Shafali's fireworks at the top of the order.
Even though it came against a lower-ranked team, the knock would provide Harmanpreet much-needed confidence ahead of the important assignments, including the inaugural six-team ICC Women's Champions Trophy in the shortest format at home early next year.
{{/usCountry}}Even though it came against a lower-ranked team, the knock would provide Harmanpreet much-needed confidence ahead of the important assignments, including the inaugural six-team ICC Women's Champions Trophy in the shortest format at home early next year.
{{/usCountry}}Not many strike the ball as well as Harmanpreet does and that is what she exhibited in her statement innings.
Captain Smriti Mandhana opted to bat with an aim to give more batters time in the middle.
For that very purpose, she made way for Anushka Sharma (28 off 20) to open the batting alongside Shafali, who scored a second consecutive half-century to lead India's charge.
Anushka and Shafali shared a 54-run stand off 32 balls to set the tone for the innings.
Anushka pulled Tendai Makusha for a thundering six in the fifth over. Shafali, at the other end, hit sixes for fun in her sizzling effort and the majority of her five strikes went over deep mid-wicket.
The Indian opener also effectively employed the sweep against the spinners.
Following Shafali's departure, Harmanpreet extended India's six-hitting spree with five maximums. It was a good surface to bat on, ideal for Harmanpreet to return to her explosive ways.
The 37-year-old had not found her groove on the slow pitches of the Women's T20 Asia Cup and did not get a lot of batting time in the team's triumphant Asian Games campaign in Japan.
"Feels great that I got some time in the middle. Just wanted to enjoy myself and bat as long as possible," said Harmanpreet before breaking down in the middle of the interview during the innings break.
India smashed 62 runs in the last five overs with the loss of four wickets.