India Vs Zimbabwe: India post 256-4 to keep semi-final hopes alive
India stayed in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals after a commanding performance in the Super 8s, beating Zimbabwe by 72 runs in Chennai in the 48th match. The india vs zimbabwe result leaves India facing a winner-takes-all clash with West Indies for the second qualification spot from Group 1.
Super 8s, Group 1 in Chennai: a 256-4 innings and a big margin
Defending champions India were inserted by Zimbabwe and posted 256-4 from 20 overs, the second-highest total in Men's T20 World Cup history behind Sri Lanka's 260-6 against Kenya in 2007. India cracked 17 sixes and as many fours while thumping Zimbabwe by 72 runs to stay alive in the race to the semi-finals.
India Vs Zimbabwe: batting depth — Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Pandya and the top six
Abhishek Sharma top-scored with 55 off 30 balls after three ducks to start the tournament and an innings of 15 against South Africa. He and Sanju Samson (24 off 15) put on 48 off 23 for the first wicket, then Abhishek and Ishan Kishan (38 off 24) combined for 72 off 42 for the second. The innings finished with an unbroken 84 off 31 between Hardik Pandya (50 not out off 23) and Tilak Varma (44 not out off 16). Suryakumar Yadav contributed 33 off 13, having been dropped on eight by Blessing Muzarabani at deep backward square.
Brian Bennett's 97 not out and Zimbabwe's reply
Zimbabwe made 184-6 from 20 overs in reply, with Brian Bennett unbeaten on 97 off 59 balls, striking six sixes and eight fours. Bennett put on 72 off 42 deliveries with captain Sikandar Raza (31 off 21) for the third wicket before Raza holed out off Arshdeep Singh at long-on. Tadiwanashe Marumani scored 20 off 20.
Bowling figures, knockouts scenarios and earlier results
India's left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh finished with 3-24, while Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel took 1-35 apiece. Sikandar Raza had a bowling return of 1-29 during India’s innings. Zimbabwe are now out of semi-final contention after two defeats from two in the Super 8s. South Africa's nine-wicket drubbing of West Indies earlier in the day, combined with India's victory over Zimbabwe, guaranteed the Proteas a place in the knockouts.
What comes next: Kolkata showdown and broadcast note
India will qualify for the T20 World Cup semi-finals if they beat West Indies on Sunday but will be eliminated if they lose. The sides meet in Kolkata on Sunday in a winner-takes-all match for the second qualification spot from Group 1; the match was listed at 1. 30pm UK in the match bulletin. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player.
