- India posted 256 for 4, their highest-ever T20 World Cup total.
- Hardik Pandya smashed an unbeaten 50 off 23 and won Player of the Match.
- Abhishek Sharma struck his maiden T20 World Cup fifty.
- Arshdeep Singh became India’s leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cups.
- Zimbabwe were eliminated despite Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 97.
India delivered a dominant all-round performance to defeat Zimbabwe in the Super Eight stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, setting up what is effectively a quarterfinal clash against the West Indies on Sunday (28).
Batting first at Chennai, India unleashed a batting masterclass, piling up 256 for 4 in 20 overs, one of the highest totals in tournament history. The total surpassed their previous World Cup best of 218 and featured a relentless assault from top to middle order.
Six Indian batters faced at least 10 deliveries, and each struck at over 150. Their strike rates ranged from 158.33 to a staggering 275. The innings included 17 sixes, the most India have hit in a single T20 World Cup match.
Abhishek Sharma led the early charge with a blistering 55 off 30 balls, registering his maiden World Cup fifty. He punished Zimbabwe’s pace options before falling to a slower delivery in the 13th over. Ishan Kishan added a quick 38 off 24, attacking the spinners to disrupt their rhythm.
Suryakumar Yadav capitalized on a dropped catch, adding 33 off just 13 balls. Zimbabwe’s fielding woes proved costly—they dropped five catches across their two Super Eight matches after missing only one in the entire first round.
The late surge came from Hardik Pandya, who anchored the finish with an unbeaten 50 off 23 deliveries. His calculated acceleration ensured India crossed the 250 mark. Pandya later said the knock was important for him personally, as he had been trying to overhit in recent matches and wanted to focus on timing instead of power.
Zimbabwe had opted to bowl first, correctly anticipating some early help for seamers. However, India’s experienced bowling attack proved far more effective in exploiting conditions.
Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya shared the new ball and kept Zimbabwe quiet early. Arshdeep’s two-wicket burst in the 17th over took his T20 World Cup tally to 34 wickets, surpassing Jasprit Bumrah’s previous Indian record of 33.
Zimbabwe’s chase never truly threatened India’s total. They struggled early and were restricted to 33 runs in the first five overs. Though Brian Bennett produced a defiant unbeaten 97, his effort served mainly as consolation. Sikandar Raza reached a personal milestone, becoming only the second cricketer in T20 Internationals to complete 3,000 runs and 100 wickets.
India will have minor concerns despite the comprehensive victory. Shivam Dube conceded 46 runs in two overs, while Varun Chakravarthy went for 35 in four. Those areas may require tightening ahead of the West Indies clash.
With three wins now standing between them and the trophy, India no longer needs to rely on other results. Their net run rate boost and commanding performance have placed them firmly in control of their semifinal destiny.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, exited the tournament after a promising start in the group stage but faltered in the Super Eight under mounting pressure.
India’s batting firepower has roared back at exactly the right moment—and a high-stakes encounter with West Indies now awaits.
