India Vs Zimbabwe: Bennett’s 97* Goes for Nothing as India’s 256-4 (second-highest T20 WC total) Produces 72-run Super 8s Win

Why it matters now: In a scoreline that reshapes Group 1's Super 8s picture, this india vs zimbabwe result eliminates Zimbabwe and keeps India’s campaign alive. The match handed one of the tournament’s biggest team totals — and left Zimbabwe leaning on one massive individual innings while failing to close the gap as a unit.

Who feels the impact most from India Vs Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe are the immediate casualty: the 72-run defeat knocks them out of contention while also exposing persistent fielding concerns. India, by contrast, get breathing room in the Super 8s after posting 256-4, the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history. Here's the part that matters: a single big chase‑saving knock — Brian Bennett's unbeaten 97 — changed neither the result nor Zimbabwe's standing.

Match highlights and the innings that decided it

India compiled 256-4, a total driven by Sharma’s rapid half-century and late carnage from Hardik and Tilak. Hardik finished unbeaten on 50 off 23 deliveries; Tilak contributed an undefeated 44 off 16. Those finishes boosted India into the tournament record books. Zimbabwe fought back through Brian Bennett, whose 97* was the game’s standout individual score, but the chase fell short by 72 runs and Zimbabwe were eliminated from the Super 8s.

Reactions, milestones and what players said

Hardik Pandya, named Player of the Match, spoke about reassessing his approach during the innings, shifting from trying to hit excessively hard to timing the ball and finding sixes. He also noted a preference for bowling with the new ball and the value of the inswing he can deliver.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza reflected on positives amid the setback: he valued a more composed batting display after a previous 250 total that had sparked panic, while noting the team gave too many runs away and could have defended better. Raza’s 31-run contribution in the game carried an extra milestone — it took him to 3, 000 runs in T20 internationals, making him Zimbabwe’s first batter to reach that mark.

It wasn't the most drama-filled Super 8s match so far, but it did the job for Suryakumar Yadav's team: they live to fight another day at this year's T20 World Cup. Coverage credits: Millie Sian, Elizabeth Botcherby and Maisie Gallen. If you missed the action, Elizabeth Botcherby’s report is recommended for a fuller play-by-play.

Immediate schedule signal and related coverage note

The tournament calendar moves on quickly: attention shifts next to England’s clash with New Zealand tomorrow, with live-text commentary scheduled from 13: 00 GMT. England might already be through, while New Zealand remain in contention; a separate preview by Matthew Henry frames that fixture.

• India’s team total: 256-4 — second-highest in T20 World Cup history.
• Result: India beat Zimbabwe by 72 runs; Zimbabwe eliminated from the Super 8s.
• Key batters: Sharma (rapid half-century), Hardik 50* off 23, Tilak 44* off 16.
• Zimbabwe standout: Brian Bennett 97* (unbeaten) but team fell well short.
• Milestone: Sikandar Raza reached 3, 000 T20 international runs with a 31-run contribution.

What’s easy to miss is how quickly a tournament snapshot can flip: one giant team score neutralized an otherwise excellent individual performance for Zimbabwe. The real question now is how Zimbabwe recalibrates fielding and defensive plans after consecutive poor displays.

Key takeaways:

• India’s big total changes group math and buys them flexibility in selection and tactics for upcoming matches.
• Zimbabwe’s batting showed sparks, but fielding lapses and the inability to support Bennett’s 97* sealed their exit.
• Player form notes to watch: Hardik’s finish and bowling with the new ball; Raza’s milestone suggests runs are still coming at the top end for Zimbabwe.
• Tomorrow’s England vs New Zealand match (live-text from 13: 00 GMT) will further clarify progression scenarios in the Super 8s.

Quick timeline (verifiable from the match narrative): India posted 256-4 in this Super 8s fixture; Zimbabwe responded with Bennett’s unbeaten 97 but were beaten by 72 runs; Sikandar Raza reached 3, 000 T20I runs during the innings. Before this meeting, the teams had met once in the T20 World Cup: in 2022, when Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 25-ball 61 had led India to a 71-run victory.

Writer’s aside: It’s worth noting the contrast between towering team totals and lone heroic chases—big scores expose team weaknesses in fielding and depth, not just batting failures. That balance will be critical for both sides as the Super 8s continue.