India’s eight-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the third ODI on Thursday, October 29, completed a 3-0 series sweep for the hosts. However, a brief moment involving Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur after the match has caught the attention of fans on social media.
A video circulating online appears to show the two Indian players missing a handshake during the post-match proceedings. Mandhana seems to be looking in another direction as Harmanpreet approaches, leading to questions about their equation. However, The Daily Jagran doesn't confirm the authenticity of this video.
The clip has gained attention amid recent reports of differences between the two cricketers following India’s captaincy change. However, neither player has publicly confirmed any disagreement, and the brief interaction alone does not establish that there is tension between them.
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Did Captaincy Change Create Differences Between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur?
Questions about their relationship surfaced earlier this month after reports suggested that the change in leadership had caused some unease within the Indian team.
According to a PTI report, a team source claimed that Smriti and Harmanpreet had not been seeing eye to eye for some time, with captaincy reportedly being a point of difference.
The reports emerged after Harmanpreet stepped down from India’s captaincy across formats, with Mandhana taking over the leadership role. The transition raised questions about how the two senior players would work together, with Harmanpreet continuing in the team under the new captain.
However, these claims have not been publicly confirmed by either cricketer.
What Did Smriti Mandhana Say About Harmanpreet Kaur?
Mandhana had praised Harmanpreet’s contribution when she was appointed India’s new captain. She acknowledged her predecessor’s decade of leadership and expressed her desire to achieve more success together.
The two players have also shared positive moments on the field. During the second ODI against Zimbabwe, Harmanpreet scored 126 runs, and Mandhana was seen applauding her century.