india responded emphatically to their setback against South Africa, dismantling Zimbabwe by 72 runs in Chennai to keep their T20 World Cup campaign alive. The commanding victory not only restored momentum but also set up a virtual quarterfinal against West Indies in Kolkata on March 1. At the same time, the result confirmed South Africa’s progression to the semifinals.
After being put under scrutiny following their previous outing, India reverted to what they do best — aggressive, layered batting backed by depth. The outcome was the highest total of the tournament so far and a statement performance at a critical juncture.
Explosive Start Sets the Tone
India reshuffled their lineup, bringing Sanju Samson back to the top of the order while leaving out Rinku Singh. The move paid immediate dividends. Samson wasted no time, launching two sixes inside the first two overs to signal intent. Alongside him, Abhishek Sharma — who had endured a lean stretch in the competition — found early rhythm.
Zimbabwe’s new-ball attack struggled for control as India surged to 46 without loss in just three overs. Samson’s brisk 24 ended when he picked out a fielder in the deep, but the tempo never dipped.
Ishan Kishan slotted in seamlessly, ensuring the scoring rate remained elevated. Abhishek, meanwhile, capitalised on anything short or overpitched, driving and pulling with authority. Zimbabwe’s decision not to introduce spin during the Powerplay proved costly, especially as India piled up 80 runs in the first six overs. Fielding lapses compounded their troubles, with multiple chances going down at crucial moments.
Abhishek eventually departed after crossing fifty, but by then India were firmly positioned for something substantial.
Middle-Order Carnage Lifts India Past 250
Suryakumar Yadav’s cameo maintained pressure before Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya turned the final phase into a one-sided assault. The pair accelerated dramatically, targeting the death overs with calculated aggression.
Blessing Muzarabani endured a difficult 18th over that cost 19 runs, while Richard Ngarava was dispatched for consecutive sixes by Tilak in the penultimate over. Hardik then applied the finishing touches, clearing the ropes off the final two deliveries to push India beyond 250 and raise a 23-ball half-century.
India finished at 256 for 4 — a total built on sustained aggression rather than a single explosive burst. The final five overs alone yielded 80 runs, underlining the depth and power available in the lineup.
Zimbabwe’s Chase: Too Little, Too Late
Set a daunting 257, Zimbabwe began cautiously. Only 25 runs came from the first four overs, an approach that effectively conceded early momentum. The enormity of the target forced a balancing act between preservation and aggression — a balance they never quite achieved.
Brian Bennett, however, produced an innings of genuine quality. He showed confidence against India’s premier bowlers and even took on Jasprit Bumrah with crisp strokeplay. Axar Patel, drafted in for Washington Sundar, broke the opening partnership after the Powerplay but later felt Bennett’s aggression as well.
Once Dion Myers fell, Bennett and Sikandar Raza stitched together a 72-run partnership that added respectability to the chase. Bennett reached his fifty with a towering six and later took 26 runs off a Shivam Dube over in a spirited counterattack.
Yet the equation was always prohibitive. The required rate hovered beyond realistic reach, and India’s control of key moments ensured there was no genuine threat of an upset.
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Clinical Finish from Arshdeep
Arshdeep Singh delivered a composed closing spell, striking with precision yorkers to remove key batters. He finished with 3 for 24, underlining his reliability at the death. Bennett remained unbeaten on 97, falling agonisingly short of a century despite finishing with a six and a four off the final two balls.
Zimbabwe closed at 184 for 6 — competitive in isolation, but comfortably short in context. Dube’s expensive two-over spell, which cost 46 runs, proved inconsequential given the scale of India’s total.
Brief scores:India 256/4 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 55, Hardik Pandya 50*; Sikandar Raza 1-29) beat Zimbabwe 184/6 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 97*; Arshdeep Singh 3-24) by 72 runs