India revived their semifinal hopes with a crushing 72-run victory over Zimbabwe at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium.
After their heavy defeat to South Africa, India needed big wins to improve their net run-rate. They responded emphatically by posting 256/4, the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history.
Abhishek Sharma struck 55 off 30 balls while Hardik Pandya remained unbeaten on 50 off 23. Tilak Varma blazed 44* off 16 balls in a devastating finish. India smashed 17 sixes, equaling their tournament record. The pair of Hardik and Tilak added an unbeaten 84-run partnership off just 31 balls.
Zimbabwe’s chase never gained momentum despite Brian Bennett’s heroic unbeaten 97 off 59 balls. Arshdeep Singh claimed 3/24 as Zimbabwe finished on 184/6. India’s 72-run victory margin boosted their net run-rate significantly, keeping their qualification hopes alive heading into the crucial clash against West Indies.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs Zimbabwe, T20 World Cup, Super 8 Group 1 |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
| Result | India won by 72 runs |
| India | 256/4 (20 overs) |
| Zimbabwe | 184/6 (20 overs) |
| Player of the Match | Hardik Pandya (50* runs) |
| Toss | Zimbabwe won and chose to field |
First Innings Highlights
Sanju Samson opened alongside Abhishek Sharma in a tactical change to counter Zimbabwe’s off-spin. Samson struck 25 off 15 balls with two sixes and a four. Blessing Muzarabani removed Samson caught at deep mid-wicket.
Abhishek Sharma anchored the innings with 55 off 30 balls, striking four fours and four sixes. Ishan Kishan contributed 38 off 24 balls with four boundaries and a six. The pair added a 50-run partnership. Sikandar Raza dismissed Kishan caught at backward point. Suryakumar Yadav exploded with 33 off 13 balls including three fours and two sixes.
Richard Ngarava removed Surya caught at cover. Tinotenda Maposa conceded 23 runs in his first over, the second-most expensive opening over in T20 World Cup history. Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma produced a devastating unbeaten partnership. The pair added 84 runs off 31 balls at a run-rate of 16.25.
Hardik reached his fifty off 23 balls with powerful hitting. Tilak blazed 44* off 16 balls with sublime timing. India plundered 50 runs in the final three overs. They finished on 256/4, the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history. Ngarava conceded 62 runs in four overs while Muzarabani and Brad Evans claimed one wicket each.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Abhishek Sharma | 55 runs (30 balls, 4×4, 4×6) |
| Best Bowler | Blessing Muzarabani | 4-0-43-1 |
Second Innings Highlights
Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani opened cautiously. Arshdeep Singh bowled a tight first over, conceding just four runs. Hardik Pandya struck with his first ball, removing Marumani, caught by Sanju Samson.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled economically in the powerplay. Zimbabwe reached 80/1 after six overs. Axar Patel struck in his second over, dismissing Marumani for 20. Varun Chakaravarthy removed Dion Myers, caught at deep mid-wicket.
Sikandar Raza joined Bennett and added valuable runs. Raza struck 31 off 21 balls with two fours and two sixes. Arshdeep dismissed Raza caught at long-on. Brian Bennett played a heroic lone hand, reaching 97* off 59 balls.
He struck boundaries at regular intervals to keep Zimbabwe in contention. Arshdeep claimed his second wicket, bowling Ryan Burl. Arshdeep completed his third wicket by bowling Tony Munyonga. Bennett struck Shivam Dube for 26 runs in one over, the most expensive over by an Indian bowler in T20 World Cups.
Bennett remained unbeaten on 97, falling three runs short of a World Cup century. Zimbabwe finished on 184/6, losing by 72 runs. Arshdeep finished with 3/24 while Varun Chakaravarthy claimed 1/35.
| Category | Player | Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batsman | Brian Bennett | 97* runs (59 balls) |
| Best Bowler | Arshdeep Singh | 4-0-24-3 |
