Zimbabwe shock Dhoni's India by 2 runs

Zimbabwe rose from the ashes of an embarrassing one-day series whitewash at the hands of India to shock the tourists by two runs in a thrilling Twenty20 international at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.

In a game that went right down to the final delivery, Elton Chigumbura's unbeaten 54 ultimately made the difference as Zimbabwe took a one-nil lead in the three-match series.

Despite fielding five debutants in the format, India went into the fixture as strong favourites because of their experience in the Indian Premier League, only to come away chastened.

"It's a levelling experience, by which I mean that you need to give a lot of respect to cricket irrespective of the opposition," captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said.

"You can't play with your reputation - what's important is how well you execute and I felt we were way off today in both the bowling department and in the batting.

"At the same time credit goes to Zimbabwe because they made the most of that opportunity - they batted well and bowled the right line."

Zimbabwe's batting had been dismal in the ODIs, when they failed to score more than 168, but on Saturday they appeared to rediscover their joy for the game as they posted 170 for six.

Hamilton Masakadza provided a positive start at the top of the order with 25 from 15 balls, while Malcolm Waller took the game to India through the middle of the innings with his 30.

A familiar collapse looked to be on the cards when Waller failed to pick Yuzvendra Chahal's googly and Sikandar Raza Butt was run out for 20, but Chigumbura found form to spark fireworks at the end, hitting seven sixes in his 26-ball knock.

The all-rounder's innings represented a dramatic turnaround after he had registered back-to-back golden ducks in the final two ODIs, which Zimbabwe lost heavily.

"After what happened in the one-day series, as a team it was time to redeem ourselves," said Chigumbura.

"We knew that if we played as a team and all contributed, the chances were that we would have a chance of winning the game."

Although they lost KL Rahul to the first ball, India looked on track to complete the chase for the majority of their reply as Manish Pandey led the way with 48.

However the tourists were guilty of losing wickets at key moments to let Zimbabwe back into the game, which went into the final over with Dhoni on strike and India needing eight to win.

Seamer Neville Madziva allowed only singles to leave Dhoni with four to get off the last ball, then kept his nerve to finish with a yorker as India finished on 168 for six.

"It's my job (to finish the game), but at the same time we kept losing wickets so I felt the batsmen will have to take the responsibility because quite a few of them were set," said Dhoni.

"It's important when you're chasing a total to take it to the end, and that was something that was lacking in this game."

The second game in the three-match series takes place at the same venue on Monday.

Zimbabwe surprised India securing a close 2-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the first of the three Twenty20 Internationals in Harare.

Needing 171 to win, India suffered a shocker with KL Rahul getting out in the very first ball. But Mandeep Singh (31) and Ambati Rayudu put on a strong 44-run partnership as India slowly inched closer to the target.

Manish Pandey played the perfect anchor role but was unlucky to miss out on a well deserved half century when he was out on 48.

With eight runs required of the last over, Axar Patel departed in the second ball scoring 18, before Rishi Dhawan managed just two runs in the next two balls.

With four runs needed of the final ball, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (19 not out) managed to hit it straight to deep point fielder getting one run as India made 168 for six in 20 overs.

Earlier, a late unbeaten half century from Elton Chigumbara ensured Zimbabwe scored an impressive 170 for six in 20 overs.

Chigumbara smashed seven sixes and a boundary during his 26-ball stay scoring 55 not out.

Earlier, Chamu Chibhabha (20) and Hamilton Masakadza (25) provided a good start while Malcolm Waller (30) and Sikandar Raza (20) did well in the middle order.

For India, Jasprit Bumrah picked two wickets.

INDIA INNINGS

Is there a twist in the tale as Axar Patel departs as Masakadza takes a fine catch in the deep. India need seven runs from four balls. Ind 164-6 in 19.2 overs.

Axar Patel c sub (WP Masakadza) b Madziva 18 (9b 1x4 2x6)

Manish Pandey is unlucky to miss out on his half century as he departs offering a high catch to Tiripano. India need 27 from 16 balls. Ind 144-5 in 17.2 overs.

Manish Pandey c Tiripano b Muzarabani 48 (35b 1x4 3x6)

50 partnership for Dhoni and Pandey. Ind 142-4 in 17 overs.

Manish Pandey gets closer to his half century as he is batting on 44, Dhoni is on 11 as the partnership reaches 40 between the two. India need 41 from 24 deliveries. Ind 130-4 in 16 overs.

India looks to be in trouble as another batsman plays on to his stumps. Jadhav is bowled by Muzarabani. Ind 90-4 in 12.2 overs.

Kedar Jadhav b Muzarabani 19 (13b 1x4 1x6)

India need 102 from 60 deliveries. Ind 69-3 in 10 overs.

Spectacular diving catch from Mutombodzi as Mandeep Singh departs. Three wickets down as India need another 118 from 74 deliveries. Zimbabwe will be eying a couple of more wickets to keep the momentum going. Ind 53-3 in 7.4 overs.

Mandeep Singh c Mutombodzi b Chibhabha 31 (27b 5x4 0x6)

Zimbabwe celebrate as India lose another wicket. Rayudu is bowled by Chibhabha. India still in a fairly good position needing 127 runs from 85 deliveries. Ind 44-2 in 5.5 overs.

Ambati Rayudu b Chibhabha 19 (16b 4x4 0x6)

Mandeep gets a lifeline after he is dropped in the deep but he makes up for it as he smashes two fine boundaries to take his score to 17. Rayudu on 10. Ind 29-1 in 4 overs.

India lose their first wicket in the very first ball as Rahul is bowled by Tiripano. Rahul is not happy on what he was trying to do as he played on to his stumps trying to dab it to third man. Ind 0-1 in 0.1 overs. 

Lokesh Rahul b Tiripano 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) 

ZIMBABWE INNINGS

Chigumbura gets his half century in just 25 deliveries as Zimbabwe posted 170 for six in 20 overs.

Amazing batting from Chigumbura as he takes on Unadkat to smash two sixes and a boundary to reach 42 off just 22 deliveries. Zim 155 for 6 in 19 overs.

Skipper Cremer offers a simple catch to Dhawan to depart. Bumrah picks his second wicket. Zimbabwe 130-6 in 17.1 overs.

Graeme Cremer c Dhawan b Bumrah 4 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Two sixes coming from Chigumbura in Chahal's over as Zimbabwe reach 130 for five in 17 overs.

Mutombodzi offers a simple catch to Dhawan in the deep as Zimbabwe lose one more. Zim 111-5 in 15.1 overs.

Tinotenda Mutombodzi c Dhawan b Patel 3 (8b 0x4 0x6)

With still five overs to go for Zimbabwe, a good 40 to 50 runs should put Zimbabwe in good stead. Chigumbara will be the key. Zim 111-4 in 15 overs.

Raza had previously survived a run out but this time he ran out of luck as Mutombodzi makes the mistake of calling his partner and then backing off. Big blow for Zimbabwe as a well settled batsman is back in the hut. Zim 98-4 in 13.1 overs.

Sikandar Raza run out 20 (18b 2x4 0x6) 

Waller perishes after having made a significant contribution. Failed to read the googly as he is bowled by Chahal. Zim 97-3 in 12.4 overs.

Malcolm Waller b Chahal 30 (21b 4x4 0x6)

Good batting display from the hosts as they reach 72 for two in 10 overs. Raza batting on 16, while Waller is on 10.

Zimbabwe lose another as Chibhabha is bowled. He too was looking good but lost his wicket to Dhawan when he was peaking. Zim 50-2 in 7 overs.

Chamu Chibhabha b Dhawan 20 (19b 3x4 0x6)

Mutumbami gets hit on his right hip and is writhing in pain. That's not good news for for Zimbabwe as he leaves the field. Zim 34-1 in 5.2 overs.

Richmon Mutumbami retired hurt 0 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Zimbabwe lose their first wicket as Masakadza departs. He was in good form and failed attempting a paddle sweep offering a simple catch to Dhoni. Zim 33-1 in 4.3 overs.

Hamilton Masakadza c Dhoni b Bumrah 25 (15b 1x4 3x6)

The openers look to stay firm as both kicking off a nice partnership together. Zim 20-0 in 3 overs

A fine opening over from Unadkat as he gives away just two runs. Zim 2-0 in 1 over.

Chibhabha, Masakadza open for Zimbabwe as Unadkat picks the ball.

India win toss and put Zimbabwe to bat first.

Zimbabwe: Chamu Chibhabha, Hamilton Masakadza, Sikandar Raza, Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura, Richmond Mutumbami, Tinotenda Mutombodzi, Graeme Cremer, Neville Madziva, Taurai Muzarabani, Donald Tiripano
India: Lokesh Rahul, Mandeep Singh, Ambati Rayudu, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Axar Patel, Rishi Dhawan, Jasprit Bumrah, Jaydev Unadkat, Yuzvendra Chahal

PREVIEW

After having sweeped the ODI series 3-0, Mahendra Singh Dhoni's India will look for another successful performance as the first of three Twenty20s begins at Harare today.

India will see five new faces for the match.