India’s Hardik Pandya in motion in the course of the 2026 ICC Males’s T20 Cricket World Cup Tremendous Eights match between India and Zimbabwe on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 26, 2026. — Reuters
India set a large 257-run goal for Zimbabwe of their essential Tremendous Eight fixture of the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 on the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.
Blistering half-centuries from opener Abhishek Sharma and all-rounder Hardik Pandya powered India to an enormous complete in opposition to Zimbabwe within the must-win match.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza’s determination to discipline first backfired as his crew’s bowling unit conceded 256/4 of their 20 overs.
The house facet bought off to an honest begin to their innings as their new opening pair of Sanju Samson and Sharma put collectively 48 runs at a blazing tempo till Blessing Muzarabani removed the previous within the fourth over.
Samson, who performed his second match of the match, made a 15-ball 24, laced with two sixes and a 4.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza finally broke the threatening partnership within the eleventh over by dismissing Kishan, who walked again after scoring 38 off 24 deliveries with the assistance of 4 fours and a six.
Sharma was then concerned in a short 30-run partnership with captain Suryakumar Yadav till finally falling sufferer to Tinotenda Maposa within the thirteenth over.
The left-handed opener, who registered geese in every of his first three T20 World Cup 2026 matches, remained the top-scorer for India with a 30-ball 55, studded with 4 sixes and as many fours.
Yadav adopted go well with 11 balls later and walked again after a blazing 33-run cameo, which got here off simply 13 deliveries, and featured 5 boundaries, together with three sixes.
Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya then ensured an equally dominant end with the bat for India as they raised an unbeaten 84-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Pandya was the core aggressor of the quickfire stand and made an unbeaten 50 off simply 23 deliveries, smashing 4 sixes and two fours.
Varma, alternatively, was equally spectacular, scoring a 16-ball 44 not out, comprising 4 sixes and three fours.
For Zimbabwe, Richard Ngarava, Maposa, Muzarabani and skipper Raza may choose up a wicket apiece.
