00:02In a high-pressure Super 8 clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup,
00:07India national cricket team delivered a commanding performance
00:10to defeat Zimbabwe national cricket team by 72 runs
00:14at the MA Shidambaram Stadium on February 26, 2026.
00:20The emphatic victory kept India firmly in contention for a semi-final berth.
00:25After an earlier setback in the Super 8 stage,
00:28asked to bat first after Zimbabwe opted to field,
00:32India came out with aggressive intent.
00:34The power play laid the foundation for what turned into one of the highest totals of the tournament.
00:40The opening batters ensured a rapid start,
00:44capitalising on fielding restrictions and keeping the scoreboard racing from the outset.
00:50Abhishek Sharma set the tone with a fluent 55 off just 30 balls.
00:55His innings blended fearless stroke play with calculated aggression,
00:59putting Zimbabwe's bowlers under immediate pressure.
01:02He found solid support from Ishan Kishan, who contributed a brisk 38,
01:08rotating strike smartly while punishing loose deliveries.
01:11Captain Suryakumar Yadav chipped in with a lively 33, keeping the momentum intact through the middle overs.
01:19India's intent never dipped and the scoring rate consistently hovered well above 10 runs per over.
01:26The finishing flourish came from Hardik Pandya, who smashed an unbeaten 50 off just 23 deliveries.
01:33His clean hitting in the death overs pushed India beyond the 250 run mark.
01:38Tillak Varma provided the perfect late surge, blasting 44 not out off only 16 balls.
01:45India eventually posted a mammoth 256 for 4 in their 20 overs,
01:51a total built on relentless boundary hitting and fearless batting.
01:55Chasing 257 was always going to be a daunting task, but Zimbabwe showed admirable fight.
02:02Brian Bennett produced a magnificent, unbeaten 97 off 59 balls, nearly carrying his team deep into the contest.
02:11His innings was packed with powerful drives and confident stroke play,
02:16keeping the required run rate within distant sight for much of the chase.
02:21However, India's bowlers struck at crucial intervals to prevent partnerships from flourishing.
02:27Ashdeep Singh emerged as the standout performer with the ball, claiming three key wickets and breaking Zimbabwe's rhythm at vital
02:36moments.
02:37The rest of the attack maintained discipline, ensuring the required rate climbed steadily out of reach.
02:43Zimbabwe finished on 184 for 6 in their 20 overs, falling well short despite Bennett's heroics.
02:52The result confirmed Zimbabwe's exit from the tournament, ending what had been a spirited campaign for the African side.
02:59For India, the victory was not just about two points, but about restoring confidence and boosting net run rate.
03:07The dominant batting display highlighted their depth and firepower, while the bowlers delivered under pressure when it mattered most.
03:15With the tournament entering its decisive phase, India now head into a virtual knockout clash with renewed belief.
03:23If this performance is any indication, the men in blue have rediscovered their rhythm at exactly the right time in
03:30their quest for T20 World Cup glory.
03:32S disks—
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