Chennai, February 26, 2026 – India delivered a spectacular batting performance to crush Zimbabwe and secure a dominant victory in the T20 World Cup Super 8s, racking up 256 runs—the second-highest team total in T20 World Cup history.
Captain Suryakumar Yadav said the team left past results behind and focused entirely on the present match. “We didn’t want to dwell on our group-stage performance or last game’s loss. The video analyst highlighted what all our batters have achieved over the past year, and it was heartening to see everyone execute on the field,” he remarked. Yadav acknowledged that India could have been more clinical with the ball but praised Zimbabwe’s effort in the Powerplay and their composed batting.
Batting Brilliance Lights Up Chennai
India’s top six all contributed, with Abhishek Sharma breaking his lean run with a half-century, supported by Ishan Kishan and Yadav. Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya added the finishing touches, with Pandya scoring a quick 50 off just 23 balls and India hitting 17 sixes. Despite the batting fireworks, India’s bowling lacked sharpness at times. Varun Chakaravarthy struggled to make an impact, raising concerns ahead of the next match.
Zimbabwe Fights Back but Falls Short
Captain Sikandar Raza praised his team’s composure but admitted mistakes in bowling and field execution hampered their chase. Brian Bennett remained a bright spot, confidently taking on India’s bowlers and playing smart cricket. Zimbabwe’s pacers struggled to trouble the Indian batters, and off-spinner Raza delayed his bowling change, allowing India to accelerate.
Player of the Match
Hardik Pandya earned the Player of the Match award for his explosive 23-ball 50. “I reassessed the conditions, timed the ball better, and focused on execution. Bowling also felt good—I have one over left to bowl,” Pandya said.
Implications for the Tournament
With this victory, India sets up a virtual quarterfinal against the West Indies on Sunday. South Africa has now secured a semifinal berth, while Zimbabwe is eliminated despite their promising start in the Super 8s.