India beat Zimbabwe by 72 runs to chase T20 World Cup semifinal spot
Al Jazeera
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
India defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs in a high-scoring T20 World Cup Super Eight match in Chennai, securing their place in a virtual quarterfinal against the West Indies. The defending champions posted an imposing total of 257, thanks to strong batting performances and disciplined bowling. Despite a defiant Zimbabwean effort, led by Brian Bennett's unbeaten 97, India's bowlers stepped up, with Arshdeep Singh taking three wickets for just 24 runs. This victory kept India's World Cup campaign alive, as they look to build momentum ahead of their crucial clash against the West Indies in Kolkata.
India’s batting lineup delivered a stellar performance, highlighted by Abhishek Sharma’s career-best 55 off 30 balls, which included four fours and four sixes. Sanju Samson also made a quick impact with 24 runs off 15 balls, setting the tone for India’s big total. Hardik Pandya’s explosive 50 off 23 balls at the end of the innings further accelerated their score, contributing to one of the largest totals in World Cup history. Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batting order, which also saw Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy chip in with crucial wickets.
Zimbabwe’s spirited effort was ultimately undone by India’s clinical bowling and batting prowess. While Bennett’s 97 not out was a standout individual performance, it wasn’t enough to guide his side over the line. The match saw both teams display attacking cricket, but India’s
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Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/26/2026