In a dominant display at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India secured a resounding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match on Thursday. This thrilling win not only kept India’s semifinal hopes alive but also paved the way for South Africa to advance to the knockouts.
South Africa leads Group 1 with two wins and a net run rate of +2.890, followed by West Indies in second place with +1.791 after one loss. India sits third with a 1-1 record and -0.100 NRR, while Zimbabwe’s back-to-back defeats have eliminated them from title contention.
Opting to bowl first after losing the toss, Zimbabwe watched helplessly as India’s batters unleashed havoc. Openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma laid a solid foundation with 48 runs in just 3.4 overs. Samson fell for 24 off 15 balls, but Ishan Kishan joined Sharma to stitch a crucial 72-run partnership off 42 balls, propelling India forward.
Sharma’s explosive 55 off 30 balls, featuring four sixes and four fours, anchored the innings. Captain Suryakumar Yadav contributed 33 runs. The middle order wobbled at 172/4 in 14.5 overs, but Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma turned the game with an unbeaten 84-run stand off 31 balls. Pandya remained not out on 50 off 23 (4 sixes, 2 fours), while Varma smashed 44* off 16 (4 sixes, 3 fours), powering India to 256/4 – the second-highest T20 World Cup total.
Zimbabwe’s chase crumbled under pressure, managing only 184/6. Brian Bennett’s heroic 97* off 59 balls (6 sixes, 8 fours) went in vain, supported briefly by Tadiwanashe Marumani (20) and Sikandar Raza (31). Arshdeep Singh starred with 3/24, backed by Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube with one wicket each. Despite Dube’s expensive spell, India’s bowling sealed the deal.
This victory injects momentum into India’s campaign as they eye a semifinal spot in the high-stakes Super 8 stage.