A short post-match moment has put Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur under the social media spotlight, even after India completed a 3-0 sweep of Zimbabwe in ODIs. A video from the third match in Vadodara on Wednesday, 28 October, appears to show the pair missing a handshake as players greeted one another after India’s eight-wicket win. Mandhana seemed to look away as Harmanpreet approached, prompting questions about their relationship. However, the footage does not establish that either player deliberately avoided the other, and neither has publicly confirmed a disagreement.

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What Happened After India’s Win?

The clip circulated online after the final ODI at Kotambi Stadium. In the footage, Indian players move through the customary post-match greetings, but no handshake is visible between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur. That prompted speculation from fans, many of whom linked the moment to the recent change in leadership. Yet video can lack context, and a missed greeting cannot clearly confirm a rift. Neither cricketer has publicly suggested that they are involved in a dispute. For now, claims of a fallout remain speculation rather than fact. The full context remains unclear to viewers.

Captaincy Change Brings Fresh Attention

Harmanpreet stepped down as India’s captain across all three formats on 6 October, ending her long spell in charge. Smriti Mandhana was named all-format captain and took over for the Zimbabwe series. Harmanpreet had led India in T20 internationals since 2016 and became ODI and Test captain after Mithali Raj retired in 2022. Discussion around Harmanpreet’s batting form and India’s leadership had grown before the transition. She had also guided the team through major achievements, including the 2025 Women’s World Cup triumph on home soil.

India then won gold at the 2026 Asian Games, adding another major result to her captaincy record. Those milestones make the change significant, but they do not prove that the former captain and her successor have personal differences. Smriti Mandhana had served as vice-captain during Harmanpreet’s tenure, so the two have worked together in leadership roles for years.

India Make Strong Start Under Mandhana

India’s results have been positive since Mandhana took charge full-time. The team won the three-match T20I series against Zimbabwe 3-0 before completing the same scoreline in the ODIs. The final ODI ended in an eight-wicket victory, giving the new captain a clean sweep in her first bilateral assignments in charge. The result should remain the main sporting takeaway from the series.

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The viral handshake clip has shifted attention towards a possible personal story, but there is not enough evidence to draw a firm conclusion. Fans may debate what the footage shows, yet online theories are not confirmation of a dressing-room problem. For Smriti Mandhana, the immediate task is to build on India’s winning start and establish her approach as captain. Harmanpreet Kaur remains an experienced batter and an important squad member. Until either player addresses the speculation directly, the apparent missed handshake should be viewed as a brief, unexplained moment - not proof of a rift.

Editor - Neha

Neha is the Co-Director & Editor at sportselite.in, drawn to the stories that give Sports their energy beyond the scoreboard. She brings clarity, context, and a human perspective to coverage across Elite Sports, from standout performances to shifting team dynamics and memorable contests. At sportselite.in, Neha helps turn complex sporting developments into engaging stories, keeping readers connected to the people and moments behind the action.

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