The jaws of victory didn't open quite wide enough for India to snatch defeat this time, but it was close. A combination of poor umpiring and a loss of nerve by Zimbabwe contributed to a four-wicket win that had a patina of cold sweat rather than a glossy coat. Indian cricketers are no Casanovas in that the thrill of the chase clearly doesn't excite them. The Sourav Ganguly-inspired success at Kandy last August stands out like a seven-footer in Lilliput. Ranged against that lone success is a litany of failure, none worse than the catastrophic collapse to 81 all out at Barbados in 1997.

Apologists for the team might point to a successful chase against Zimbabwe at the same venue 18 months ago, but honestly, that's clutching for straws. You know you have a problem when you're reduced to regurgitating wins against Zimbabwe. In any case, Kotla, 2000 was a far cry from this limp effort. The target then was 194 and Rahul Dravid and Ganguly made it appear considerably smaller, with not a frayed nerve in sight. What you got this morning was the classic botch-up job, with spectators struggling to figure out which team inhabits Test cricket's cellar. India choked in familiar fashion, but they were saved the embarrassment because Zimbabwe choked too .

Sachin Tendulkar's innings – even though he wasn't there to hit the winning run — was priceless. His scintillating strokeplay gave India all the early impetus and got them into a position where they would have to try incredibly hard to lose. Despite their best efforts, that proved beyond them.

Umpiring that can charitably be called inept helped neither team. Shiv Sunder Das got a shocker from Asoka de Silva and Tendulkar could also regard himself slightly unfortunate, though the sweep shot on a track taking vicious turn is as laced with risk as Russian Roulette.

Zimbabwe have reason to feel hard done by. Sanjay Bangar survived two extremely confident leg-before appeals in one eventful over from Ray Price, as AV Jayaprakash's right hand stayed as immobile as the Sphinx's paw. Coming as it did, the over after de Silva's candidate for Shocker of the Season, you couldn't blame Stuart Carlisle and his team for thinking that it wasn't to be. Heath Streak had got one to nip back sharply and rap Harbhajan Singh on the back pad in front of the stumps. It was as plumb as plumb can be – the middle stump would have gone for a run, cartwheel and dismount – but the umpire remained unmoved by Streak's fervent plea. When he did move, it was to signal four leg byes – rubbing salt and spices in.

Once Travis Friend turned enemy, throwing wildly for four overthrows with both batsmen stranded mid-pitch, it was over. Having become so accustomed to crushing defeats, Zimbabwe choked with an upset victory looming large. Against a more formidable foe, India would have got no such reprieve.

And so the comedy of errors concluded with India escaping to a 2-0 series win, sparing us the strain of watching Javagal Srinath's batting. Not to mention Virender Sehwag having to come out and attempt a Colin Cowdrey.

Dileep Premachandran is assistant editor, Wisden.com India

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