The template of posting large runs and capitalising on the resultant scoreboard stress on the rival was executed to a nicety as India owned the evening. The host’s trigger was additionally helped by Zimbabwe’s determination to discipline on profitable the toss.
At a raucous M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, the defending champion prevailed over Sikandar Raza’s males by 72 runs within the ICC T20 World Cup Tremendous Eight Group 1 match in Chennai on Thursday. India’s 256 for 4 proved too excessive a peak and Zimbabwe completed with 184 for six.
Openers Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani consolidated initially, and after the latter was dismissed by Axar Patel, the previous shifted gears. The left-arm spinner was clattered previous and over the ropes however Varun Chakaravarthy prised out Dion Myers.
The guests, although, leant on Bennett (97 n.o.) and he reached his fifty, clouting Jasprit Bumrah for six. He was brutal on Shivam Dube in an over that price 26 runs. Raza allied with Bennett for some time, earlier than Arshdeep Singh grabbed three wickets, and India stayed dominant.
Earlier, the gang rooted for Sanju Samson, the most recent recruit of Chennai Tremendous Kings, and Abhishek Sharma too had his followers. The openers set a frenzied tempo with Samson hoisting Richard Ngarava. Blessing Muzarabani too suffered the identical destiny as Samson galloped.
In the meantime, Abhishek drilled Tinotenda Maposa previous cowl after which lofted excessive. Nonetheless, Samson discovered his pull discovering the fielder within the deep. India already had 48 in 3.4 overs, and instantly, southpaws Abhishek and Ishan Kishan cast a partnership yielding 72 from 42 deliveries.
The Males in Blue had been on the ascendant, and hearteningly for them, Abhishek (55) discovered his mojo. There was a sliver of luck when Kishan was dropped on 26 as Tashinga Musekiwa failed to carry on.
A relieved Kishan hit Raza for a 4 and a six, after which edged the spinner and retreated. Suryakumar Yadav strode in and shuffled round for his scoops. Dropped on eight by Muzarabani, the skipper watched Abhishek go away, however the merry streak continued as Hardik Pandya (50 n.o.) sauntered in.
The all-rounder launched Ryan Burl into the skies, and after Suryakumar departed, Tilak Varma lit up the heavens with luminous photographs. There was energy and disdain because the left-hander waded into the rival assault, and India’s agency grip on the contest by no means wavered regardless of Bennett’s lone-warrior act.
Printed on Feb 26, 2026