India Vs Zimbabwe: Defending champions smash 256-4 in Chennai as semi-final fate hinges on West Indies clash
In a high-octane Super 8s match, india vs zimbabwe produced a huge score and a decisive Championship-group swing: India posted 256-4 and beat Zimbabwe by 72 runs in Chennai to keep their T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive.
India Vs Zimbabwe scoreline and result
India finished 256-4 from 20 overs after being put in to bat. Zimbabwe replied with 184-6 from 20 overs, leaving India victorious by 72 runs. Brian Bennett struck 97 not out off 59 balls for Zimbabwe, while Arshdeep Singh took 3-24 for India. The win keeps India in contention for a semi-final berth; Zimbabwe are now out of semi-final contention after two defeats from two.
Detailed scorecard highlights
India 256-4 (put in to bat): Abhishek Sharma 55, Hardik Pandya 50 not out, Tilak Varma 44 not out, Ishan Kishan 38, Suryakumar Yadav 33, Sanju Samson 24. Bowling for Zimbabwe included Sikandar Raza 1-29.
Zimbabwe 184-6 (target 257): Brian Bennett 97 not out, Sikandar Raza 31, Tadiwanashe Marumani 20. Indian bowlers returned figures including Arshdeep Singh 3-24, Varun Chakravarthy 1-35 and Axar Patel 1-35.
What stood out: records, power-hitting and partnerships
India's 256-4 ranks as the second-highest total in Men's T20 World Cup history, behind only Sri Lanka's 260-6 against Kenya in 2007. The Indian innings featured 17 sixes and 17 fours after being inserted by Zimbabwe. Abhishek Sharma top-scored with 55 off 30 balls; that was his first meaningful knock in the tournament after starting with three ducks and then a 15 against South Africa.
Key partnerships included 48 off 23 between Abhishek and Sanju Samson for the first wicket, 72 off 42 between Ishan Kishan and Abhishek for the second, and an unbroken 84 off 31 between Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma to finish the innings.
Zimbabwe resistance and individual heroics
Brian Bennett struck six sixes and eight fours in his 97 not out, sharing a 72-run, 42-ball stand with captain Sikandar Raza (31 off 21) for the third wicket. The partnership ended when Raza holed out off Arshdeep at long-on. Despite Bennett's effort, Zimbabwe could not bridge the gap and exit the Super 8s without wins.
Context and consequences for Group 1
India bounced back from a heavy Super 8s defeat to South Africa earlier in the weekend. A loss in Chennai would have seen the co-hosts and pre-tournament favourites eliminated; instead the emphatic victory sets up a winner-takes-all showdown with West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday (1. 30pm UK) for the second qualification spot from Group 1. South Africa's nine-wicket drubbing of West Indies earlier in the day, combined with India's victory over Zimbabwe, confirmed South Africa's place in the knockouts.
Notes, viewing and follow-up
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. Full fixtures and results for the T20 World Cup are available through official tournament listings. Listen to the cricket podcast for further match discussion and follow cricket updates on WhatsApp for the latest news and analysis.
