Jadhav fi res India to win

INDIA’S Kedar Jadhav blasted his highest score in Twenty20 internationals as they beat Zimbabwe by three runs in a tense finish to claim the three- match series 2-1

at the Harare Sports Club last Wednesday (22).

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bowl first, re- stricting the tourists to

138-6 in their 20 overs on a slow wicket as Jadhav(below) top-scoredwith 58 from 42 balls.

But the hosts battled to keep up with the scoring rate and went into the final over, bowled by Barinder Sran

(2-31),needing 21 for victory.

When the first two balls of the over went for 12 runs a sensational victory looked on the cards, but Sran came back well and bowled Elton Chigumbura (16) off the last delivery of the innings to leave Zimbabwe agonisingly short of a series victory.

It was the first time on India’s

six-matchlimited overs tour that they batted first and, after starts for Lokesh Rahul (22) and Ambati Rayudu (20), Jad- hav provided the impetus the innings desperately needed as he blazed seven fours and a six.

India’s opening bowlers restricted the

run-rate well as Zimbabwe reached 59-2 at the halfway mark of their innings, with Sran going for just 14 in his first three overs and Dhawal Kulkarni ending with figures of 2-23.Vusi Sibanda (28 from 23 balls) top scored for the host nation.