CHENNAI, India – Defending champions India roared back into contention for the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-finals with a dominant 72-run victory over Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday. After a staggering batting display that saw them post the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history, India’s bowlers clinical performance ensured a vital two points in the Super 8 standings.
Match Highlights
- India’s Record Total: 256/4 (20 overs)
- Zimbabwe’s Response: 184/6 (20 overs)
- Result: India won by 72 runs
- Player of the Match: Hardik Pandya (50* off 23 balls)
The Batting Blitz
Having been put in to bat, India’s top order finally found its groove. Abhishek Sharma silenced critics with a blistering 55 off 30 balls, providing the early momentum alongside Sanju Samson (24). The assault didn’t stop there, as Ishan Kishan (38) and captain Suryakumar Yadav (33) kept the run rate soaring above 10 per over.
The real carnage, however, was saved for the death overs. Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma (44 off 16)* orchestrated an unbeaten 84-run partnership in just 31 deliveries. Pandya brought up his half-century on the final ball of the innings with a towering six, taking India to a mammoth 256/4—their highest-ever total in the tournament.
Zimbabwe’s Lone Warrior
Chasing a target of 257, Zimbabwe faced an uphill battle from the start. While most of the lineup struggled against India’s disciplined pace attack, opener Brian Bennett played the innings of a lifetime. Bennett remained unbeaten on 97 off 59 balls, narrowly missing out on a century but recording the highest individual score by a Zimbabwean in T20 World Cup history.
Bowling Masterclass
Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/24 and becoming India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cup history in the process. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy and Axar Patel also chipped in with crucial breakthroughs to ensure Zimbabwe never truly threatened the target.
What This Means for Group 1
The result has significantly altered the Group 1 landscape:
- South Africa Qualifies: India’s win officially secured a semi-final spot for South Africa.
- Zimbabwe Eliminated: Despite their heroics earlier in the tournament against Australia and Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe is now out of the race.
- The Kolkata Showdown: India now heads to the Eden Gardens on Sunday to face the West Indies. This match acts as a virtual quarter-final; the winner will advance to the semi-finals, while the loser will be eliminated.
“With contributions from the top order right down to number seven, there was hardly anything missing in our performance today,” said India captain Suryakumar Yadav post-match.
