India thrash Zimbabwe to revive T20 World Cup hopes and South Africa close on semis

Guardian Sport

by Reuters

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

India delivered a commanding performance in their Super 8s match against Zimbabwe, securing a 72-run victory at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This win not only revived their hopes of defending the T20 World Cup title but also showcased their batting prowess as they compiled a tournament-high score of 256 for four. Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma were instrumental, hitting blistering half-centuries that laid the foundation for India's dominant display. The match was characterized by an onslaught of boundaries, with India hammering 17 sixes and 17 fours. Their top order exploited Zimbabwe's weak bowling attack and sloppy fielding, which allowed them to pile on runs at a rapid pace. Sharma and Pandya's partnership in the middle overs set the tone for India's chase, while the lower order contributed crucially to ensure their record-breaking total. Meanwhile, South Africa continued their impressive form by defeating West Indies comprehensively. Proteas skipper Marco Jansen starred with the ball, claiming multiple wickets to lead his side to a nine-wicket victory. This result further solidified South Africa's position in the tournament and highlighted their potential as dark horses in the competition. India's ability to score at an unprecedented pace was a standout feature of the match. Their aggressive batting approach, combined with Zimbabwe's inability to contain them, resulted in one of the highest totals seen in T20 World Cup history. This victory not only boosted India's confidence but also sent a strong message to other teams about theirintentions for this year's tournament. The performance of Hardik Pandya and Abhishek Sharma was pivotal in India's success. Pandya, in particular, played a crucial role by anchoring the innings during a middle-order wobble and finishing with an unbeaten 71 off just 36 balls. His partnership with Sharma, who struck 54 runs off 28 deliveries, was key to their rapid

Verticals

sports

Originally published on Guardian Sport on 2/26/2026