T20 World Cup 2026: India thrash Zimbabwe by 72 runs, remain in contention for semifinals

Chennai: Team India roared back into contention for a berth in the semifinals of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 with a thumping victory over Zimbabwe in a Super 8 Group 1 clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday. The hosts steamrolled happless Zimbabwe by 72 runs. Asked to bat first, India piled on a formidable total of 256/4 in their 20 overs. In reply, Zimbabwe could only muster 184/6.

What now for Team India?

India faced Zimbabwe in the Super 8 round of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday (February 26) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. India won the match by 72 runs. Setting a target of 257 runs, Zimbabwe managed only 184 for 6.

India will now have to defeat the West Indies to reach the semi-finals. The India-West Indies match is scheduled for March 1 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With India's victory, South Africa advanced to the semi-finals, while Zimbabwe was eliminated.

How did Zimbabwe perform?

Zimbabwe had a good, but slow, start in the run chase. Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani added 44 runs in 6.2 overs. Axar Patel broke the partnership by dismissing Marumani (20 runs). Varun Chakravarthy then dismissed Dion Myers for just 6 runs. From there, captain Sikandar Raza and Brian Bennett shared a 72-run partnership for the third wicket. Raza contributed 31 runs off 21 balls, hitting two sixes and two fours.

Sikandar Raza was dismissed by Arshdeep Singh in the 17th over of Zimbabwe's innings. Arshdeep then dismissed Ryan Burl for 0. Arshdeep then dismissed Tony Munyonga, who could only score 11 runs. Mushekiva scored 7 runs before being dismissed by Shivam Dube. Amidst the fall of wickets, opener Brian Bennett remained at the crease until the end. Bennett scored an unbeaten 97 off 59 balls, hitting eight fours and six sixes.

How did India perform?

After losing the toss and batting first, India scored 256 for 4, the highest total by any team in this World Cup. The Indian team got off to a good start. Sanju Sassanman and Abhishek Sharma added 48 runs for the first wicket. Sanju was dismissed for 24. Sanju was caught by Ryan Burl off Blessing Muzarabani. From there, Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma shared a 72-run partnership for the second wicket. During this partnership, Abhishek reached his fifty off 26 balls. This is the first time Abhishek has crossed the 50 mark in the current World Cup.

India's second wicket fell in the form of Ishan Kishan (38 runs), who was caught by Richard Ngarava off Sikandar Raza. Shortly after Ishan's dismissal, Abhishek Sharma also departed off the bowling of Tinotendo Maposa. Abhishek scored 55 runs off 30 balls, hitting four sixes and four fours. Captain Suryakumar Yadav displayed a blistering batting performance, scoring 33 runs off 13 balls, including three fours and two sixes.

Suryakumar Yadav's wicket was taken by Richard Nagarawa. From there, Hardik Pandya and Tilak Verma added an unbeaten 84 to take India to a huge total. Hardik scored an unbeaten 50 off 23 balls, studded with four sixes and two fours. Tilak played an unbeaten 44 off 16 balls, including four sixes and three fours.

What changes were made to the playing XIs?

Both teams made changes to the playing 11 in this match. Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar were ruled out. Sanju Samson and Axar Patel replaced them. Meanwhile, Tinotenda Maposa replaced Graeme Cremer in Zimbabwe's squad.

Zimbabwe Playing XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wicketkeeper), Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (captain), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotendo Maposa, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani.

India's Playing XI: Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Verma, Shivam Dubey, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy.