India Vs Zimbabwe — india vs zimbabwe: Brian Bennett hits 97* but India beat Zimbabwe
India sealed a 72-run win to eliminate Zimbabwe in a Super 8s match, a game framed by India’s 256-4 and Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 97. The india vs zimbabwe game saw big contributions from India’s top order and a spirited chase that ultimately fell short.
India Vs Zimbabwe match summary
India posted 256-4, which is the second highest total in T20 World Cup history. Sharma’s rapid half-century set up the India total, and later Hardik Pandya hammered 50* off 23 while Tilak struck 44* off 16. Those innings combined to put Suryakumar Yadav’s team in a position to live to fight another day at this year's T20 World Cup.
India's big total and key innings
India’s 256-4 was built on a flurry of aggressive batting. The report notes Sharma produced a rapid half-century that helped establish the platform. Hardik Pandya finished unbeaten on 50 off 23 balls and was named Player of the Match. Tilak added a rapid 44* off 16. The cumulative effort left Zimbabwe chasing an imposing target.
Zimbabwe chase and Bennett
Zimbabwe’s response featured Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 97, a substantial innings that nevertheless left Zimbabwe short of the target. Sikandar Raza scored 31 in the match, and that 31-run haul saw him become Zimbabwe's first batter to reach 3000 runs in T20 internationals. Despite those personal milestones, Zimbabwe fell well short and were eliminated after India completed a 72-run victory.
Reactions from Raza and Hardik
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza reflected on positives while acknowledging areas to improve: "I am a guy who looks at a lot of the positives. The last game we got 250 and there was panic and rush in our batting line up. Today I thought we were more composed and we need to take a lot of positive and heart from this. We could have executed our defensive plans better as well and we gave too many runs away. Once the train goes, it is hard to get back. We could have restricted them to 210 or 220. But you can see how willing these boys are to improve. "
On Zimbabwe's next game Raza added: "I am looking for a better fielding performance and hopefully we can continue our batting performance. If we do that, we have the best chance to win. "
India batter and Player of the Match Hardik Pandya said he was satisfied with his innings: "I am pretty happy. I had to reassess during my innings. I was trying to hit too hard and realised I can time the ball and hit sixes as well. Some games I have not done what I wanted, but today I am satisfied. We have all been keeping an eye on the games but it is about believing in your skill set and putting your best foot forward. We knew this was our game and we focused on that. " On his bowling form he added: "I like bowling with the new ball. I like bowling the inswing ball which I am grateful to have the gift for and that gives men the chance to take wickets and challenge the batters. "
Context and what comes next
The match was not the most drama-filled Super 8s contest so far, but it achieved its purpose for Suryakumar Yadav's team. Before today, these two teams had only met once at the T20 World Cup: in 2022 when Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten 25-ball 61 led India to a 71-run win. Commentators urged readers to take a read of Elizabeth Botcherby's report for a fuller account of India’s 72-run victory over Zimbabwe. Readers were also invited to follow England's clash against New Zealand the following day; Matthew Henry's preview and a scheduled live-text commentary were noted for 13: 00 GMT.
Authors on the piece were Millie Sian, Elizabeth Botcherby & Maisie Gallen.
India completed a 72-run win to eliminate Zimbabwe, with India’s 256-4, Hardik’s 50* off 23 and Tilak’s 44* off 16 underpinning the result, while Bennett’s unbeaten 97 and Sikandar Raza’s 31 — which took him to 3, 000 T20 international runs — could not prevent Zimbabwe falling short.
