Semifinal dream alive: India’s highest T20 World Cup score sinks Zimbabwe by 72 runs

Chennai: Abhishek Sharma rediscovered his form with a blazing fifty, Hardik Pandya bludgeoned a half-century, and Tilak Varma allayed strike-rate concerns as India crushed Zimbabwe by 72 runs in a must-win Super Eight clash on Thursday.

Posting 256 for four – their highest ever T20 World Cup total and the highest in this edition – India not only ticked several boxes but also kept their semifinal ambitions alive. The win confirmed South Africa’s place in the last four from Group 1 with four points, leaving India and the West Indies, both on two points, to battle it out in a virtual knockout on March 1 in Kolkata.

Abhishek shakes off rust with rapid fifty

Since returning from a stomach bug, the Punjab batter had struggled, registering three consecutive ducks. On a smooth Chepauk pitch, the left-hander found his rhythm, calming concerns over his dip in form.

Abhishek forged key partnerships – 48 for the opening wicket with Sanju Samson and 72 off 42 balls with Ishan Kishan (38) – giving India a solid platform. Samson’s inclusion to break the left-hand sequence at the top proved effective, as he smoked 24 off 15 balls to ease Abhishek’s nerves.

After Samson’s departure, Abhishek took charge, hammering Tino Maposo, Brian Bennett, and Richard Ngarava for sixes as India raced to 80 for one in the Power Play, their second-best after 86/1 against Namibia. He reached his fifty off just 26 balls with a single off spinner Sikandar Raza, looking assured against off-spin and showing excellent footwork and coordination.

Despite his eventual dismissal, Abhishek’s belligerence, aided by some sloppy Zimbabwe fielding, helped maintain India’s momentum through the middle overs.

Middle-order resurgence and Tilak’s strike-rate boost

India’s middle-order, previously struggling on slower tracks, rediscovered its fluency at MA Chidambaram Stadium. The team reached 100 in 9.1 overs, then added the next 100 in just 7.3 overs.

Pandya (50 not out) and Tilak (44 not out) combined for 84 runs for the fifth wicket, exploiting the final five overs to maximum effect, scoring 80 runs. Pandya reinforced his reputation as a death-over bully, while Tilak’s strike-rate soared from a modest 118 to 275, showcasing his potential.

Once India posted the mammoth total, victory was always likely. Zimbabwe could manage only 184 for six despite Brian Bennett’s unbeaten 97 off 59 balls. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh (3/24) led the Indian bowling attack, stifling the visitors and safeguarding India’s T20 World Cup title defence.