Vadodara: Free from the pressures of captaincy, Indian cricket star Harmanpreet Kaur has emphatically announced her return to prime batting form. During the second Women’s One Day International (WODI) against Zimbabwe in Vadodara on Sunday, the former skipper smashed a brilliant century, ending a 15-month century drought and breaking a significant national record in the process.
Kaur recently stepped down from her leadership role following mounting pressure over her dip in batting form. However, relinquishing the captaincy seems to have completely rejuvenated her approach at the crease. After playing a blazing 91-run knock in the preceding T20I series against Zimbabwe, she carried her aggressive momentum into the 50-over format with spectacular results.
The situation on Sunday demanded a rescue act when Team India found themselves reeling at 19 for 2, having lost early wickets, including that of the newly appointed captain, Smriti Mandhana. Unfazed by the early top-order collapse, Kaur walked in and played a mature, calculated innings. Shouldering the responsibility she so often carried as captain, she forged crucial century partnerships with Pratika Rawal and all-rounder Deepti Sharma, completely shifting the momentum of the game in India’s favor.
Reaching her hundred off just 101 deliveries with 12 boundaries, Kaur eventually scored a majestic 126 runs from 121 balls, smashing 15 boundaries before being dismissed. Her previous ODI century came against England back in July 2025.
This commanding knock marked the eighth ODI century of her illustrious international career. With this achievement, she officially surpassed the legendary former captain Mithali Raj, who has seven ODI centuries to her name. Kaur now holds the outright second position on the list of most ODI centuries by an Indian woman, sitting only behind current skipper Smriti Mandhana, who leads the chart with 14 centuries.
Cricket analysts noted that Kaur’s ability to anchor the innings under immense pressure proves she remains a critical pillar of the Indian batting lineup. The century not only rescued her team from a precarious position but also sent a strong message about her enduring match-winning capabilities on the global stage.