India Vs Zimbabwe — india vs zimbabwe: India beat Zimbabwe by 72 runs to keep title defence alive
The india vs zimbabwe Super 8s match in Chennai ended with defending champions India beating Zimbabwe by 72 runs, a result that keeps India’s T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive after a 256-4 batting display and a 184-6 reply.
India pile up 256-4 as Sharma, Hardik and Varma deliver
India finished 256-4 in their 20 overs, the total powered by Abhishek Sharma’s 55 off 30 balls and Hardik Pandya’s unbeaten 50 off 23. Sharma’s fifty included four fours and four sixes, and he set the tone with a 26-ball half-century after arriving into the game under pressure from three ducks in his past four innings. Hardik reached his 23-ball half-century with a six off the final delivery of the innings, while Tilak Varma flashed an unbeaten 44 from 16.
Sanju Samson struck the second ball of the match for six and made a quickfire 24 from 15 deliveries, with India 80-1 at the end of the powerplay as Sharma struck three fours and three sixes. The 256 total was India’s highest at a T20 World Cup and the second highest total in T20 World Cup history, behind Sri Lanka’s 260-6 against Kenya in the inaugural event in 2007; India also passed 250 in a men’s T20 international for the fifth time.
Zimbabwe chase led by 22-year-old Bennett but lacked support
Zimbabwe replied 184-6 in 20 overs as opener Brian Bennett finished 97 not out from 59 balls. The 22-year-old recorded his third unbeaten half-century of the tournament, his fifty coming off 34 balls, and he struck eight fours and six sixes in his innings. Sikandar Raza’s 31 off 21 was the next highest score for Zimbabwe, while a bowler listed as Singh returned figures of 3-24.
Despite Bennett’s display, Zimbabwe lacked backing from the rest of the batting line-up and were eliminated by the 72-run margin in Chennai.
What the win means for India’s Super 8s hopes
The victory keeps India alive in the race for the semi-finals: India are now level on two points with West Indies and know that victory over the two-time champions in Kolkata on Sunday will secure their spot in the last four. Earlier in the Super 8 phase, South Africa beat West Indies by nine wickets to maintain a 100% record at this tournament and, alongside England, have already qualified for the semi-finals with a game to spare.
Earlier tournament form, the South Africa setback and on-field moments
India had enjoyed a comfortable passage through the initial group stage, winning all four of their matches and twice passing 190 with the bat, but their Super 8 opener against South Africa clipped their wings: chasing 187, India were bowled out for 111, a result that left them in near must-win territory as they headed to Chennai.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza had said at the toss it would "come down to a battle of nerves. " India showed none of that uncertainty as they punished Zimbabwe’s Maposa in what was described as an 'awkward' over. Sharma’s half-century was particularly notable given his earlier tournament struggles and three ducks in his previous four innings.
Match summary and notable records
Match: Super 8s, Group 1, Chennai
India 256-4 (20 overs): Sharma 55; Hardik 50*; Tilak Varma 44*
Zimbabwe 184-6 (20 overs): Bennett 97*; Sikandar Raza 31; Singh 3-24
The 72-run margin eliminated Zimbabwe and kept India’s title defence alive, while the 256 total stands as the second-highest in T20 World Cup history behind Sri Lanka’s 260-6 against Kenya in 2007.
