India Vs Zimbabwe — india vs zimbabwe: India stay in semi-final hunt after 256-4
Defending champions India smashed 256-4 and defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs in Chennai to keep their T20 World Cup semi-final hopes alive. The india vs zimbabwe 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.
High scoring start and context
India posted 256-4 from 20 overs after being inserted by Zimbabwe, the second-highest total across all Men's T20 World Cups. Suryakumar Yadav's side's total was behind only Sri Lanka's 260-6 against Kenya in 2007 in the tournament's record books. A defeat in Chennai would have seen the co-hosts and title favourites eliminated, having begun their Super 8s campaign with a heavy loss to South Africa over the weekend.
India Vs Zimbabwe key moments
Abhishek Sharma top scored with 55 off 30 balls, producing his first knock of note in the tournament after three ducks to start and an innings of 15 against South Africa. Abhishek and Sanju Samson (24 off 15) put on 48 off 23 for the first wicket. Ishan Kishan (38 off 24) and Abhishek then plundered 72 off 42 for the second wicket, before the innings closed with an unbroken alliance of 84 from 31 between Hardik Pandya (50no off 23) and Tilak Varma (44no off 16).
Batting fireworks and individual contributions
India's top six batters all contributed: Abhishek Sharma (55 off 30), Hardik Pandya (50no off 23), Tilak Varma (44no off 16), Ishan Kishan (38 off 24), Suryakumar Yadav (33 off 13) and Sanju Samson (24 off 15). Suryakumar was dropped on eight by Blessing Muzarabani at deep backward square during the innings. India cracked 17 sixes and as many fours across the 20 overs.
Zimbabwe reply and Bennett's knock
Zimbabwe replied with 184-6 from 20 overs in pursuit of a target of 257. Brian Bennett struck 97 not out off 59 balls, hitting six sixes and eight fours, and put on 72 off 42 deliveries with captain Sikandar Raza (31 off 21) for the third wicket. Tadiwanashe Marumani scored 20 off 20.
Bowling figures and late breakthroughs
India left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh bagged 3-24, including the wicket that saw Sikandar Raza hole out off Arshdeep at long-on. Varun Chakravarthy took 1-35 and Axar Patel had 1-35. In India's innings Sikandar Raza returned figures of 1-29.
Group outcomes and remaining scenarios
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, coupled with India's victory over Zimbabwe, guaranteed the Proteas a place in the knockouts. 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 india vs zimbabwe match in Chennai thus leaves India dependent on a winner-takes-all result in Kolkata if they are to secure the second qualification spot from Group 1.
Scorecard highlights
India 256-4 from 20 overs (put in to bat): Abhishek Sharma 55 off 30, Hardik Pandya 50no off 23, Tilak Varma 44no off 16, Ishan Kishan 38 off 24, Suryakumar Yadav 33 off 13, Sanju Samson 24 off 15; Sikandar Raza 1-29. Zimbabwe 184-6 from 20 overs (target 257): Brian Bennett 97no off 59, Sikandar Raza 31 off 21, Tadiwanashe Marumani 20 off 20; Arshdeep Singh 3-24, Varun Chakravarthy 1-35, Axar Patel 1-35.
India's emphatic win in Chennai keeps their T20 World Cup campaign alive and sets up a decisive meeting with West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday (1. 30pm UK).
