India beat Zimbabwe by 72 runs to chase T20 World Cup semifinal spot

Chennai, 28 November – India reignited their title defence with a commanding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe in a high-octane Super Eight clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, booking a virtual quarter-final date with the West Indies on Sunday in Kolkata.

Electing to bat first on a batting-friendly surface, the hosts amassed a tournament-high 257 for five, underpinned by a 30-ball 55 from world No. 1 Abhishek Sharma and a blistering 23-ball fifty by Hardik Pandya. Sanju Samson, recalled to the XI, set an aggressive tone with 24 off 15, allowing Sharma to find his rhythm before launching four fours and four sixes in a 30-ball stay. Pandya and Tilak Varma then plundered 84 in the death overs, including eight sixes and five fours, to propel India past 250.

Zimbabwe, already eliminated yet determined to leave an imprint, chased with intent through opener Brian Bennett, who carried his bat for an unbeaten 97. Despite his lone hand, the African side finished on 184 for six, never threatening the mountainous target. Arshdeep Singh starred with three for 24, while Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya conceded a combined 21 runs from three overs apiece to stifle the scoring. Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel and Shivam Dube chipped in with a wicket each.

The result keeps India second in Group 1 behind already-qualified South Africa, who earlier thrashed the West Indies by nine wickets in Mumbai. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will round out their campaign against South Africa in New Delhi on Sunday afternoon, while India and the Caribbean side face off in a winner-takes-all night fixture for the final semifinal berth.