Chennai: India responded emphatically to their setback against South Africa with a commanding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe here this evening, keeping their T20 World Cup hopes alive and setting up a virtual quarterfinal against West Indies in Kolkata on March 1.
Batting first, India delivered their most destructive performance of the tournament, amassing 256/4 — the highest total of this edition. Sanju Samson, reinstated at the top of the order, set the tone early with two towering sixes, while Abhishek Sharma finally found fluency as India surged to 46/0 inside three overs. Samson’s brisk 24 ended with a catch in the deep, but the early momentum firmly belonged to the hosts.
Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav ensured the scoring rate never dipped. India powered to 80 in the PowerPlay, capitalising on Zimbabwe’s decision to delay the introduction of spin and a sloppy fielding effort that included multiple dropped chances. Abhishek raised his half-century before falling, but the foundation had already been laid for a late-innings explosion.
Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya then launched a brutal assault in the death overs. India plundered 80 runs in the final five overs, with Blessing Muzarabani and Richard Ngarava conceding heavily. Hardik capped the innings with a breathtaking unbeaten 50 off just 23 balls, pushing India beyond the 250-run mark and effectively batting Zimbabwe out of the contest.
Chasing 257, Zimbabwe began cautiously, scoring only 25 runs in the first four overs — an approach that reflected the enormity of the target. Brian Bennett counterattacked with confidence, taking on Jasprit Bumrah and later Axar Patel, who had replaced Washington Sundar for this fixture. Bennett’s strokeplay briefly lifted Zimbabwe’s tempo.
Following Dion Myers’ dismissal, Bennett stitched together a 72-run partnership with Sikandar Raza. Bennett reached his half-century with a towering six and later punished Shivam Dube in an over that cost 26 runs. Despite the aggression, the asking rate remained well beyond reach.
Arshdeep Singh’s return ended Zimbabwe’s resistance. The left-arm pacer executed his yorkers with precision, claiming three wickets and tightening India’s grip at the death. Bennett finished unbeaten on 97, agonisingly short of a deserved century, as Zimbabwe closed on 184/6.
India’s comprehensive win restored momentum at a critical stage of the tournament and set up a high-pressure showdown with West Indies that will decide their semifinal fate.
Brief Scores: India 256/4 (Abhishek Sharma 55, Hardik Pandya 50*; Sikandar Raza 1/29) beat Zimbabwe 184/6 (Brian Bennett 97*; Arshdeep Singh 3/24) by 72 runs.
Meanwhile, in Ahmedabad earlier today, South Africa registered a dominant nine-wicket win over West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium securing their place in the semifinals. Opting to bowl first on a lively surface, the Proteas reduced West Indies to 83/7 through disciplined pace bowling from Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada. A late surge from Jason Holder (49) and Romario Shepherd (52*) lifted West Indies to a competitive 176/8.
The chase, however, was one-sided. Aiden Markram led from the front with an unbeaten 82, while Quinton de Kock (47) powered South Africa to 69 in the PowerPlay. Ryan Rickelton’s steady 45* ensured there were no late hiccups as South Africa cruised to 177/1 in just 16.1 overs.
Brief Scores: West Indies 176/8 (Romario Shepherd 52*, Jason Holder 49; Lungi Ngidi 3-30) lost to South Africa 177/1 (Aiden Markram 82*, Quinton de Kock 47, Ryan Rickelton 45*) by 9 wickets.
