Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya struck blazing half-centuries as India thrashed Zimbabwe by 72 runs in their must-win Super Eight match to keep their semifinal hopes alive in the T20 World Cup 2026 in Chennai on Thursday.
Abhishek smashed a brisk 30-ball 55 to provide early momentum, adding 48 runs for the opening wicket with Sanju Samson (24) after Zimbabwe opted to bowl. Ishan Kishan (38) and Suryakumar Yadav (33) chipped in with quickfire contributions before Pandya hammered an unbeaten 23-ball 50 at the death to power India to 256 for four, the highest total of this edition.
Tilak Varma contributed 44 not out off 14 balls as he and Pandya put on an unbroken 84-run stand off just 31 deliveries. In reply, Brian Bennett top-scored with an unbeaten 97, but Zimbabwe were restricted to 184 for six in their 20 overs.
India pacer Arshdeep Singh was the most successful bowler with figures of three for 24. India will now face West Indies in a virtual quarter-final on Sunday. The winner of the contest will enter the semi-final, while the loser will be knocked out. (
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