PTI
Harare
Kedar Jadhav struck his maiden Twenty20 International half-century as India overcame a poor start to post 138 for six in the series-decider against Zimbabwe here today.
Jadhav smashed 58 off 42 balls before Axar Patel (20 off 11) came up with a late cameo to take India to a competitive total.
India, batting first for the first time on the tour, had a tough time against the Zimbabwe bowlers on a pitch where scoring freely proved to be difficult, as it was the case earlier in the series.
It was a golden opportunity for the young batsmen to make an impact in a must-win match but some of them ended up squandering it.
Opener Lokesh Rahul was put under pressure in the very first over as pacer Tendai Chatara bowled a rare maiden in this format.
Rahul was tentative at the start but bounced back in Chatara's following over, smashing him for a straight six and a couple of fours. Eventually, he did not last long and neither did his opening partner Mandeep Singh.
Mandeep, who scored 31 and 52 not out in the last two games, was the first one to go back. He tried to cut a short ball over cover but mistimed it to be caught just outside the circle.
Rahul too was out to a lose stroke as he tried to whack Neville Madziva over mid-wicket, only to play on to his stumps.
With Manish Pandey run out after a brilliant direct hit from Elton Chigumbura, India were struggling at 29 for three in six overs.
Jadhav and Ambati Rayudu (20) were left to do the repair job and they took the innings forward with a 49-run stand off as many balls.
Barring Jadhav, the Indian batsmen could not find the big hits that were needed in the middle overs.
Captain M S Dhoni, who failed to get his team over the line in opening T20, was bowled by Donald Tiripano after making 9 off 14 balls.
Jadhav held his end to reach his maiden half century and his innings was laced with seven fours and a six.
Dhoni did not get going with the bat but added another feather to his illustrious cap when he walked out for the toss.
By playing this game, he equalled Ricky Ponting's record of captaining in 324 international matches to be at the top of the list alongside the Australian.
Dhoni, who was appointed captain in 2007, has led India in 60 Tests, 194 ODIs and 70 T20 Internationals.
