In a high-octane clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Team India unleashed a batting blitzkrieg against Zimbabwe in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Zimbabwe were left shell-shocked as India racked up a mammoth 256 for 4 in their 20 overs, setting the African side a daunting target of 257 to chase.
The Indian innings kicked off with a fiery opening stand between Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson, who blazed 48 runs in just 3.4 overs. Samson fell for a quickfire 24 off 15 balls, laced with two sixes and a four, but not before laying the foundation for an explosive total.
Abhishek Sharma then anchored the innings, forging a crucial 72-run partnership for the second wicket with Ishan Kishan off 42 balls. Kishan departed after a swashbuckling 38 off 24 deliveries, featuring five boundaries. Abhishek continued his assault, adding 30 more with skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who smashed 33 off 13 balls with five boundaries.
Sharma’s gritty knock ended at 55 off 30 balls, comprising four sixes and four fours. The real fireworks came from the unbroken 84-run stand for the fifth wicket between Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya in just 31 balls. Pandya remained unbeaten on a blistering 50 off 23 balls (4 sixes, 2 fours), while Varma was not out on 44 off 16 balls (4 sixes, 3 fours).
This towering total surpasses India’s previous highest in T20 World Cups, eclipsing the 218 for 4 against England in 2007. With this performance, India keeps their knockout aspirations alive, now banking on their bowlers to defend the steep target. Zimbabwe’s chase promises to be a Herculean task under the Chepauk lights.