India set a massive 257-run target for Zimbabwe in their crucial Super Eight fixture of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.
Blistering half-centuries from opener Abhishek Sharma and all-rounder Hardik Pandya powered India to a massive total against Zimbabwe in the must-win match.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza’s decision to field first backfired as his team’s bowling unit conceded 256/4 in their 20 overs.
The home side got off to a decent start to their innings as their new opening pair of Sanju Samson and Sharma put together 48 runs at a blazing pace until Blessing Muzarabani got rid of the former in the fourth over.
Samson, who played his second match of the tournament, made a 15-ball 24, laced with two sixes and a four.
Following his dismissal, Sharma was joined by in-form top-order batter Ishan Kishan in the middle, and the duo further strengthened India’s command by knitting a 72-run partnership.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza eventually broke the threatening partnership in the 11th over by dismissing Kishan, who walked back after scoring 38 off 24 deliveries with the help of four fours and a six.
Sharma was then involved in a brief 30-run partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav until eventually falling victim to Tinotenda Maposa in the 13th over.
The left-handed opener, who registered ducks in each of his first three T20 World Cup 2026 matches, remained the top-scorer for India with a 30-ball 55, studded with four sixes and as many fours.
Yadav followed suit 11 balls later and walked back after a blazing 33-run cameo, which came off just 13 deliveries, and featured five boundaries, including three sixes.
Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya then ensured an equally dominant finish with the bat for India as they raised an unbeaten 84-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Pandya was the core aggressor of the quickfire stand and made an unbeaten 50 off just 23 deliveries, smashing four sixes and two fours.
Varma, on the other hand, was equally impressive, scoring a 16-ball 44 not out, comprising four sixes and three fours.
For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava, Maposa, Muzarabani and skipper Raza could pick up a wicket apiece.
