India took on Zimbabwe (IND vs ZIM) in the Super 8 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in Chennai, and at the end it was a one-sided affair. Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya both hammered quick half-centuries, while Arshdeep Singh delivered with the ball. India crushed Zimbabwe by 72 runs, picking up two points and finally getting on the board in the Super 8s. Hardik Pandya walked away with Player of the Match honours for his explosive batting.
Zimbabwe won the toss and decided to bowl first, but that move didn’t pay off. India piled up a massive 256 for 4 in their 20 overs, actually their highest total ever in T20 World Cup history. Zimbabwe needed 257 to win, but they never really got close. They finished at 184 for 6, and with this loss, they’re officially out of the semi-final race.
This big win pushed India up to third place in the points table, and their run rate got a healthy boost too. South Africa, who beat the West Indies earlier, sits comfortably at the top of Group 2 with four points and has already booked a spot in the semi-finals. England is through as well.
Looking at the Indian innings, Sanju Samson chipped in with 24 off 15, and Ishan Kishan made 38 off 24. Abhishek smashed his half-century in just 26 balls and scored 55 before getting out. Suryakumar Yadav blasted 33 off just 13 balls. Hardik Pandya stole the show by reaching his fifty in just 23 balls, even hitting back-to-back sixes to get there, and stayed unbeaten on 50. Tilak Verma finished strong too, with 44 not out off 16 deliveries. For Zimbabwe, Ngarwa, Muzarabani, Sikandar Raza, and Maposa each grabbed a wicket.
On the chase, Zimbabwe lost Marumani for 20 to Axar Patel, and Myers only managed six. Bennett was the standout, reaching his fifty in 34 balls and finishing unbeaten on 97, just three short of a century. Sikandar Raza, the captain, made 31 before getting out. Burl went for a duck, Munyonga scored 11 and Musekiwa was dismissed for seven by Dubey. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking three wickets, while Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dubey each took one. In the end, India’s dominant display keeps their hopes alive in the tournament,
Brief Scores:
India 256/4 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 55, Tilak Varma 44 not out, Hardik Pandya 50 not out; Sikandar Raza 1/29)
Zimbabwe 184/6 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 97 not out; Arshdeep Singh 3/24)
