India survive scare to clinch T20 series over Zimbabwe

India clinched the three-match T20 series 2-1 after defeating Zimbabwe by three runs in the pulsating decider at the Harare Sports Club here on Wednesday.

Put in to bat first, the tourists recovered from a stuttering start to make 138 for six in their stipulated 20 overs on a slow pitch, courtesy Kedar Jadhav's 58 off 42 deliveries which earned him the Man-of-the-Match.

In reply, Zimbabwe started on a promising note but fall of wickets at regular intervals put the spanner in their wheels.

Needing 21 off the last over, Zimbabwe hopes were raised when Timycen Maruma smacked Barinder Sran for a six in the very first ball. The hosts also looked set for an upset win when the batsman scored a boundary on the next delivery, which was ruled no ball.

However, Sran, who was adjudged the Man-of-the-Series, produced a sensational comeback in the next three deliveries, which left Zimbabwe needing eight off last two balls.

The match turned out to be a nail-biting affair when Elton Chigumbura scored a boundary in the penultimate ball before he was ultimately caught by Yuzvendra Chahal in the last ball.

Vusi Sibanda (28) and Peter Moor (26) were the notable scorers for Zimbabwe.