India Vs Zimbabwe: India beat Zimbabwe by 72 runs to keep title defence alive
In Chennai, india vs zimbabwe ended with India posting 256-4 in 20 overs and then bowling Zimbabwe out to 184-6, a 72-run victory that keeps the defending champions’ semi-final hopes alive. The result reshapes the Super 8s table and sets up a decisive match that could seal India’s place in the last four.
India’s 256-4 piled up in Chennai: Sharma, Pandya and Varma starred
India finished on 256-4 from their 20 overs. Abhishek Sharma top-scored with 55 off 30 balls, having set the tone with a 26-ball half-century and striking four fours and four sixes. Hardik Pandya completed a 23-ball half-century, ending unbeaten on 50 off 23 with a six off the final delivery of the innings. Tilak Varma contributed an unbeaten 44 from 16 balls. Sanju Samson struck the second ball of the match for six and made a quickfire 24 from 15 deliveries, and Sharma led India to 80-1 at the end of the powerplay, striking three fours and three sixes.
India Vs Zimbabwe: how the chase unfolded and Bennett’s near-century
Chasing 257, Zimbabwe were all but undone by India’s total. Brian Bennett scored 97 not out off 59 balls, his third unbeaten half-century of the tournament; his fifty came off 34 balls and included eight fours and six sixes. The 22-year-old showed temperament and boundary-hitting but lacked support, with Sikandar Raza the next highest scorer on 31 off 21. Zimbabwe finished 184-6 in 20 overs.
Bowling figures and match moments: Singh’s three wickets and a contentious over
India’s bowlers held Zimbabwe to 184-6. Singh took 3-24. One notable passage of play saw India punish Zimbabwe’s Maposa in what was described as an 'awkward' over. India bludgeoned their highest total at a T20 World Cup and passed 250 in a men's T20 international for the fifth time.
Tournament context: standings, South Africa and England already through
The victory keeps India level on two points with West Indies. A win over the two-time champions in Kolkata on Sunday will secure India’s spot in the last four. South Africa beat West Indies by nine wickets to maintain a 100% record at this tournament and join England in qualifying for the semi-finals with a game to spare.
Wider arc for both sides: group stage form and recent Super 8s results
Zimbabwe had gone unbeaten in the initial group stage but leaked more than 250 runs for the second consecutive match in the Super 8s as India piled on 256-4. India themselves had won all four of their matches in the initial group stage and twice passed 190 with the bat, but their Super 8s campaign had been checked by South Africa in their opener: chasing 187, India were bowled out for 111, a defeat that left them in near must‑win territory heading to Chennai.
On the toss and pressure moments: Raza’s words and Sharma’s response
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said at the toss it would "come down to a battle of nerves". Abhishek Sharma responded to early tournament struggles—he had registered three ducks in his past four innings—by reaching a rapid half-century and anchoring India’s innings, easing some of the immediate pressure on the defending champions.
