India captain Ajinkya Rahane said he was disappointed with the way his team finished a successful tour of Zimbabwe on a losing note but added that the hosts deserved full credit for their performance.

Zimbabwe’s  all-round effort saw them win the second and final T20 at Harare to square the series. 

The African side, whose last international win against India came in 2010, beat Rahane’s boys by 10 runs.

“Let’s give credit to Zimbabwe. They were fantastic with the ball and fielded well. (The target of) 146 was achievable, the bowlers came back well. We didn’t bat well, we lost wickets at regular intervals. We played good cricket throughout the series, but disappointed to lose this one. Overall, I am happy with the performance of the boys,” Rahane said.

The 27-year-old was asked if he was worried that despite all the experience gained while playing in the Indian Premier League, the team ended up losing. 

“We are disappointed with this loss but you have to appreciate our boys as well. They have played some good cricket throughout the tour. In a T20 match anything can happen. They (Zimbabwe) took wickets regularly and fielded well also. You have to give credit to them. Their batting was good but their bowling and fielding was exceptional,” the Mumbai batsman added.

When asked about what he thought were the highlights of the tour, Rahane said: “Our guys played pretty well. We got two hundreds — (Ambati) Rayudu and (Kedar) Jadhav — and (Murali) Vijay and me got fifties. But still we have to 
improve as a batting unit. 

– #360cricket: Time for England to look at Mark Footitt
– Ashes: Bayliss warns English batsmen of what’s to come
– VIDEO: Cook and Clarke react to second Ashes Test
– #360stats: England vs Australia, Ashes second Test review

“Guys have to lift their game. It’s always a good thing when there’s healthy competition for places. I’m sure this will get Indian cricket to a better position day by day.”

Meanwhile, veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh said he is looking to make the most of his return to the Indian team after a two-year hiatus and is not looking too far ahead.

“Stay fit and live every day to the fullest. Don’t think too far, enjoy and be thankful for what you have today. I don’t know what is going to happen five years down the line. I am over that sort of mindset. I want to appreciate what I have right now,” Harbhajan said. The 35-year-old picked up four wickets from three ODIs in Zimbabwe and two scalps from one T20.