Ind Vs Zim: India post 256/4 in Chennai as Kumble warns against complacency
In the ind vs zim Super Eight clash in Chennai, India piled up 256/4 and completed a 72-run victory over Zimbabwe, a result that follows a heavy Super 8 defeat to South Africa and comes after a public warning from former India skipper Anil Kumble about underestimating the opposition. The win sets up an effectively knockout meeting with West Indies while India must still address a poor Net Run Rate of -3. 800 to stay in contention.
Ind Vs Zim at Chepauk: second-highest T20 World Cup total
It was carnage at Chepauk as India posted 256/4 in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Super Eight clash, the highest total of this edition and the second-highest in T20 World Cup history. The 256/4 leapfrogged the 254/6 posted by West Indies three nights ago against Zimbabwe and left India only four short of Sri Lanka's all-time high of 260 set in 2007. India struck 17 sixes and 17 fours in an innings that yielded 170 runs in boundaries.
Sharma, Pandya and Varma power the innings; Samson returns
Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya were central to the onslaught. Sharma brought up his maiden T20I fifty, reaching his half-century in 26 balls and finishing 55 off 30 with four fours and four sixes. Hardik Pandya reached 50 in 23 balls, striking two sixes off the last two balls to bring India to that record total. Tilak Varma finished 44 not out, and Pandya and Varma combined for an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 84 in 31 balls.
Sanju Samson returned to the playing XI and opened the innings with Sharma, belting the second ball of the innings for a six before falling in the fourth over. India motored to 80/1 in the powerplay and passed 150 in the 13th over, 200 in the 17th over and 250 in the final over.
Zimbabwe chase led by Brian Bennett but fall short at 184/6
Zimbabwe made a steady start, scoring 44/0 in the powerplay, but India’s bowlers and fielding ultimately contained the chase. Brian Bennett waged a lone battle with an unbeaten 97 off 59 balls, including eight fours; he had reached fifty in 36 balls and struck a six off Jasprit Bumrah. Sikandar Raza top-scored among the rest with 31, but Zimbabwe were held to 184/6 as India completed a 72-run victory.
Axar Patel, marking his return to the playing XI, dismissed opener Tadiwanashe Marumani with his second ball, providing India a key breakthrough. Zimbabwe’s attack and fielding were under pressure during the chase: the side dropped at least two regulation catches and could not build consistent support around Bennett.
Kumble’s warning and India’s precarious Super Eight position
Former India skipper Anil Kumble had warned the team against complacency ahead of the Super 8 clash in Chennai on Thursday. Speaking on JioHotstar, Kumble urged the Men in Blue to stick to their natural aggressive approach while remaining wary of Zimbabwe’s threat. He pointed to Zimbabwe’s impressive group-stage campaign, which included a win over Australia and a successful chase of 179 against co-hosts Sri Lanka, and singled out fast bowlers Blessing Muzarabani and Brad Evans for their bounce and movement in the Powerplay.
Kumble noted India’s precarious position after a 76-run defeat to Aiden Markram’s South Africa in their opening Super 8 fixture and described the situation as a must-win one. He said India need victories over Zimbabwe and West Indies and a significant improvement in their Net Run Rate of -3. 800 to stay in contention. "India cannot take them lightly. They need to be at the top of their game, " Kumble added, urging individual players to make their starts count in the T20 World Cup.
Captains and players reflect, and Zimbabwe look to the future
India’s captain reflected on the win and the areas to tighten before the clash with West Indies: "We wanted to leave everything behind – we didn’t think about the group stage or the last game. We looked at everything with our analysts and we performed. They batted very smartly, but we could have been better with the bowling to take our smart options. A win is a win but we could have been better with the ball. We will improve and tighten the screws against the West Indies. When we are in such situations (an effective knockout against West Indies) we will have to be more positive, but a day off tomorrow and relax. "
The Zimbabwe captain struck an optimistic tone despite elimination from the Super Eights: "I look at a lot of positives. We were a lot more composed today compared to the last game. We can take heart and that is what I’ll do. We could have executed our defensive plans better but we were going at it hammer and tongs. It would have given us a better chance to restrict them to 210 or 220. We could have done better in the last game too, but we are a work in progress. It is our first time in India, it is not an excuse but there is a lot to take from this. I’m looking for a better performance in all disciplines in the final game against South Africa. "
An India all-rounder said he had to reassess his approach in the match: "I felt I was trying to hit the ball too hard. For me it was a good game to find rhythm (with the bat) as I wasn’t satisfied in other games. I like bowling with the new ball – it swings – I bowl inswing and outswing and I’m pretty satisfied. Now it is all about playing good cricket, absorbing the pressure. We kept an eye on South Africa and West Indies, but we focused on this in the end. "
The African nation, which had fallen a long way in all forms of cricket, has shown signs it is not finished as a cricketing force. Though their tournament run may be as good as over, Bennett has emerged as a player to watch and a marker of a potentially brighter future for Zimbabwe cricket.
