IND vs. ZIM: ICC T20 World Cup 2026: India remains in the race for the semi-finals after defeating Zimbabwe by 72 runs
India secured its first victory in the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2026. Team India defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs in Thursday's second match.
At the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bowl. Team India scored 256 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs. In response, Zimbabwe could only manage 184 runs for 6 wickets in 20 overs.
Zimbabwe opener Brian Bennett played an unbeaten inning of 97 runs, but his innings failed to secure victory for the team. For India, Arshdeep Singh took three wickets for 24 runs in four overs.
In this match played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, India, after losing the toss and batting first, scored a mammoth total of 256 runs for the loss of four wickets in 20 overs.
Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma scored half-centuries for India.
Axar Patel and Sanju Samson were included in Team India. Washington Sundar and Rinku Singh were dropped from India's playing XI for this match.
Samson signaled his intention to play a quickfire innings by hitting a six off the second ball of the match and a four off the third ball.
This match was crucial for India to remain in the race for the semi-finals. With this victory, Sunday's match between India and the West Indies has become a virtual quarter-final.
Whichever India or West Indies wins on Sunday will advance to the semi-finals.