Chennai, India – Web Desk: India national cricket team kept their semi-final hopes alive in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a commanding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe national cricket team in a Super Eight Group 1 clash in Chennai.
After being put in to bat, the defending champions piled up a tournament-record 256 runs in 20 overs, the highest total of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.
Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma provided a rapid 48-run opening stand before Blessing Muzarabani dismissed Samson for a brisk 24 off 15 balls. Abhishek Sharma then anchored the innings, scoring 55 runs, including four fours and four sixes, and shared key partnerships with Ishan Kishan (38) and captain Suryakumar Yadav (33).
India accelerated further in the death overs as Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma added an explosive 86-run stand. Pandya struck a half-century, while Varma contributed 44, lifting India to an imposing 256.
Chasing a daunting 257, Zimbabwe managed 184 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. Brian Bennett produced a fighting unbeaten 97 off 59 balls, hitting eight fours and six sixes, but lacked sufficient support from the other end.
Captain Sikandar Raza attempted to keep Zimbabwe in contention with a 31-run knock off 21 balls, but regular wickets stalled the chase. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the Indian bowlers with three wickets.
Hardik Pandya was named Player of the Match for his all-round performance.
India had earlier suffered a defeat against South Africa in their opening Super Eight match. They will now face West Indies on March 1 in a must-win encounter that could determine semi-final qualification.
In Group 1 standings, South Africa lead with four points from two wins. West Indies sit second with two points and a superior net run rate, while India also have two points but remain behind on net run rate.
