By Asif Naveed
SPORTS DESK (MNN); India produced a dominant performance to defeat Zimbabwe by 72 runs in a crucial Super Eights clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Thursday.
The Indian innings was powered by blistering fifties from Abhishek Sharma (55) and Hardik Pandya (53*), alongside valuable contributions from Sanju Samson (24), Ishan Kishan (38), and captain Suryakumar Yadav (33). Tilak Varma finished the innings with an unbeaten 44 off just 16 balls, helping India post a massive 256 for four in 20 overs — the highest total of the ongoing tournament and India’s biggest T20 World Cup score ever. The total featured 17 sixes, highlighting India’s explosive batting.
Zimbabwe, opting to field first after winning the toss, failed to contain the Indian batsmen. In reply, Zimbabwe managed 184 runs, falling short by 72 runs. India’s bowlers executed a clinical performance, taking key wickets at crucial junctures to restrict the visitors.
India’s 256-run total is the second-highest in T20 World Cup history, after Sri Lanka’s 260 against Kenya in the inaugural 2007 edition. Earlier in the tournament, West Indies had scored 254 against Zimbabwe, while Ireland posted 235 against Oman.
This win strengthens India’s position in the Super Eights stage and maintains their momentum as the team looks to challenge for the title.
