Bowling at the death, Neville Madziva emerged as the hero in Zimbabwe’s two run victory to take a series 1-0 lead over India in the three match T20 series. Tasked with the responsibility of sailing Zimbabwe through in the last over, his performance seemingly overshadowed Elton Chigumbura’s career third and fastsest T20 half century.

MS Dhoni was on strike when Madziva took to the crease, the Zimbabwean says he did not look at him as Dhoni but any other man and that was key to his psychological performance. Throughout the last over Madziva was seen mumbling to himself.

“I did not look at the fact that I was bowling to MS Dhoni. I just treated him like any other guy because if I had had the thought that I was bowling to Dhoni, then he was going to hit me for a six. I did not have to rush in the last over, I had to calm myself and take my time .

“I am a Christian and I know I did not do it by myself, If you noticed I was actually talking o myself in the last over. It is because I was praying during that time . . .the Lord is with me,” said MAdziva,.

India required eight runs off the last over for a victor, Dhoni was on strike and his powerful strike to long-off only yielded a single. The following delivery again was driven to long off and this was a gift for Madziva as Patel was caught by Wellington Masakadza – putting India under pressure and giving Zimbabwe reason to believe.

Dhoni had crossed and he was back at strike, Dhoni had to force a run off the Yorker driven to cover. Dhawan was not good enough to get any runs with the next delivery before Madziva’s wide left India needing 5 off the last two deliveries.

 Dhawan got the single and India – with their “king player” needed a boundary off the last ball and he could only force a single directing his effort to deep point and of course wild celebrations engulfed Harare Sports Club and Zimbabwe turned from villains to heroes.

“It was also good to have the crowd rally behind us because as players we do this for the fans,” said Madziva.

“When  I was bowling the last over there was a lot of encouragement and suggestions on the kind of delivery I had to bowl but I had made my plan, I knew what I wanted to do and it was working for me. I turned down their suggestions because my plan was working. If it was working there was no need for me to change it.

“Cremer told me two overs before that I was going to bowl the last over and that gave me enough time to prepare myself. And I told myself that whatever the score would be, I was going to do it. That also gave me time to have a plan.”

The next game is on Monday at the same venue.