CHENNAI (Dunya News) – India produced a commanding all-round display to defeat Zimbabwe by 72 runs after posting the highest total of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 in their crucial Super Eight clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.
After being invited to bat first, India piled up a formidable 256 for 4 in 20 overs, the biggest total of the tournament so far. Zimbabwe, in reply, managed 184 for 6 despite a valiant effort from Brian Bennett.
The victory marked India’s first win in the Super Eight stage, keeping their semi-final hopes alive, while the result confirmed Zimbabwe’s exit and also sealed South Africa’s progression to the knockouts.
India’s batting blitz
India’s aggressive intent was clear from the outset as Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma raced to a 48-run opening stand. Samson struck 24 off 15 balls before Blessing Muzarabani provided the breakthrough in the fourth over.
Abhishek Sharma then anchored the innings with a fluent 55 off 30 deliveries, smashing four fours and four sixes. He added 72 runs for the second wicket with Ishan Kishan, who contributed a brisk 38 from 24 balls.
After Kishan’s dismissal by Sikandar Raza, Abhishek shared another useful 30-run stand with captain Suryakumar Yadav. The skipper later chipped in with a rapid 33 off just 13 balls.
The late surge came through Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma, who stitched an unbeaten 86-run partnership to lift India to the tournament’s highest score. Pandya blasted 50 not out off 23 balls, while Varma struck an explosive 44 not out from only 16 deliveries.
A breezy knock from Hardik Pandya put India in a position to dominate against Zimbabwe He wins @aramco POTM : https://t.co/XB78VZ8s3p pic.twitter.com/fjLdd3EEXv
— ICC (@ICC) February 26, 2026For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa, Muzarabani and Raza claimed one wicket each but struggled to contain the scoring rate.
Zimbabwe’s chase
Facing a daunting 257-run target, Zimbabwe made a cautious start. Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani added 44 runs before Axar Patel dismissed Marumani for 20.
Dion Myers fell cheaply for six as the required rate climbed sharply. Captain Sikandar Raza attempted to revive the chase with a fighting 31 off 21 balls, including two fours and two sixes, but his dismissal in the 17th over left Zimbabwe on 144.
Bennett fought a lone battle, remaining unbeaten on a superb 97 off 59 balls, hitting eight fours and six sixes. However, the effort was not enough as Zimbabwe finished on 184 for 6.
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh was India’s standout bowler with figures of 3 for 24 in four overs, while Varun Chakravarthy, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel took one wicket each.
India now move to two points in Group 1 despite a negative net run rate, with their final Super Eight fixture against West Indies in Kolkata set to decide their semi-final fate.