India defeats Zimbabwe to remain in semi-final contention

India vs Zimbabwe – (Web Desk) – Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya delivered blazing fifties, while India’s bowlers performed with precision, guiding the team to a commanding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in their crucial Super Eights clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.

This win was India’s first in the Super Eights stage, keeping their semi-final hopes alive. On the other hand, the defeat confirmed Zimbabwe’s exit from the tournament and ensured South Africa’s progression to the knockout rounds.

India now faces the West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday in a match that has effectively become a virtual quarter-final, with both teams holding two points from two games.

Chasing a daunting target of 257, Zimbabwe managed 184/6 in their 20 overs, despite a brilliant solo effort from Brian Bennett. The right-handed opener top-scored with 97 not out off just 59 balls, hitting eight fours and six sixes. Bennett also formed key partnerships with opener Tadiwanashe Marumani and skipper Sikandar Raza, who contributed 20 and 31 runs, respectively.

Arshdeep Singh was India’s standout bowler, claiming three wickets for 24 runs in his four overs, supported by Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel, who took one wicket each.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza’s decision to field first backfired as his bowlers struggled to contain India, who posted 256/4 in their 20 overs. The home side got off to a strong start, with openers Sanju Samson and Sharma putting on 48 runs before Samson was dismissed for 24 off 15 balls, featuring two sixes and a four.

Following Samson’s departure, Sharma partnered with in-form Ishan Kishan to add 72 more runs, further solidifying India’s dominance in the match.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza eventually broke the threatening partnership in the 11th over by dismissing Kishan, who walked back after scoring 38 off 24 deliveries with the help of four fours and a six.

Sharma was then involved in a brief 30-run partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav until eventually falling victim to Tinotenda Maposa in the 13th over.

The left-handed opener, who registered ducks in each of his first three T20 World Cup 2026 matches, remained the top-scorer for India with a 30-ball 55, studded with four sixes and as many fours.

Yadav followed suit 11 balls later and walked back after a blazing 33-run cameo, which came off just 13 deliveries, and featured five boundaries, including three sixes.

Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya then ensured an equally dominant finish with the bat for India as they raised an unbeaten 84-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Pandya was the core aggressor of the quickfire stand and made an unbeaten 50 off just 23 deliveries, smashing four sixes and two fours.

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Varma, on the other hand, was equally impressive, scoring a 16-ball 44 not out, comprising four sixes and three fours.

For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava, Maposa, Muzarabani and skipper Raza could pick up a wicket apiece.