Defending champions rating 256-4, limit Zimbabwe to 184-6 in Chennai to win by 72 runs
ndia’s Hardik Pandya (C) celebrates after scoring his half-century (50 runs) as teammate Tilak Varma (R) seems to be on throughout the 2026 ICC Males’s T20 Cricket World Cup Tremendous Eights match between India and Zimbabwe on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 26, 2026. Photograph: AFP
Defending champions India thrashed Zimbabwe by 72 runs of their Tremendous Eights T20 World Cup match on Thursday, a consequence that assured South Africa a spot within the semi-finals.
India posted a mammoth 256-4 after which restricted Zimbabwe to 184-6 in Chennai to make their conflict with West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday a winner-takes-all decider for the final semi-final berth.
South Africa hammered the West Indies by 9 wickets earlier in Ahmedabad.
At Chennai’s M.A. Chidambaram stadium, opener Abhishek Sharma blasted 55 and Hardik Pandya an unbeaten 50 as India piled up the second highest complete within the historical past of the match after being invited to bat first.
“I feel we needed to go away every part behind. We did not suppose an excessive amount of about what we did within the league stage or within the final recreation in Ahmedabad,” mentioned India captain Suryakumar Yadav.
“With contributions from the highest order proper right down to quantity seven, I feel there was hardly something lacking in our efficiency.
He mentioned that they had not thought of what’s now a knockout match towards the West Indies on Sunday.
“As soon as we attain Kolkata, we’ll sit down and plan correctly for that recreation,” Suryakumar mentioned.
“For now, it is about taking a break day, travelling, and enjoyable.”
Zimbabwe, who shocked Australia and Sri Lanka to achieve the Tremendous Eights, have been by no means within the chase regardless of a brisk begin because the asking fee stored rising.
Opener Brian Bennett was not out 97, the best particular person rating by a Zimbabwean in T20 World Cup historical past, as his aspect exited the semi-final reckoning with a recreation nonetheless to play.
India’s left-arm fast Arshdeep Singh took 3-24 from his 4 overs.
‘Prepared to enhance’
“We’re additionally a piece in progress,” mentioned Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza.
“We’ve got a whole lot of kids, most of them are enjoying their first World Cup, first time ever in India for us.
“Not that I need to use that as an excuse, however actually the teachings from the final recreation, from a batting perspective, I believed we took them very well.
“And you’ll see how shortly these boys are prepared to enhance and so they confirmed up in the present day.”
Zimbabwe’s bowlers conceded 510 runs in 40 overs in two Tremendous Eights matches after West Indies posted 254-6 towards the match’s shock packages on Monday.
Raza received the toss and opted to area for the second match operating, and once more noticed his bowlers flogged to all components.
Left-handed Abhishek, who had struggled with three geese in 4 innings on this match, hit 4 fours and 4 sixes to return to type.
Pandya and left-handed Tilak Varma, who hit a 16-ball 44, placed on an unbeaten stand of 84 on the finish, however India got here up simply wanting the T20 World Cup file rating of 260-6 made by Sri Lanka towards Kenya in 2007.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson returned to the workforce to interrupt the left-handed opening mixture of Abhishek and Ishan Kishan and handed India a flying begin.
Samson fell for twenty-four off Blessing Muzarabani however Abhishek stored up the cost, reaching his fifty off 26 balls in a 72-run stand with Kishan (38).
Abhishek fell to Tinotenda Maposa, caught at long-on, however his knock laid the platform for a giant complete. Skipper Suryakumar hit 33 off 13 balls.
Pandya completed with a flourish with two sixes off Brad Evans to get to 50 on the ultimate ball of the innings.
