Abhishek Sharma rediscovered his form with a blazing fifty, Hardik Pandya hammered a half-century, and Tilak Varma alleviated strike-rate concerns in India’s commanding 72-run victory over Zimbabwe, keeping
them in the race for the T20 World Cup semifinals on Thursday.
In this must-win Super Eight match, India posted a formidable 256 for four — their highest ever total in T20 World Cups, and also the highest in this edition of the ICC showpiece.
With this win, India ensured South Africa’s (4 points) entry into the last four from Group 1, leaving the hosts and the West Indies in a virtual knockout match at Kolkata on March 1. Both India and West Indies now have two points heading into their final group stage encounter.
India’s victory was made possible by contributions from Abhishek (55 off 30 balls, 4 fours, 4 sixes), Pandya (50 not out off 23 balls, 2 fours, 4 sixes), and Tilak Varma (44 not out off 16 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes), marking a strong recovery from a debilitating 76-run defeat to the Proteas in the previous match.
In response, Zimbabwe managed 184 for six. Opener Brian Bennett, who hit Shivam Dube for 26 runs in an over, provided the lone resistance with an unbeaten 97 off 59 balls, a commendable knock that nevertheless remained a mere footnote.
India’s innings was defined by significant contributions from the three aforementioned players, with Abhishek leading the charge.
Abhishek Back In Form
Since returning from a stomach bug, the Punjab batter had appeared a shadow of his former self, recording three ducks in a row. However, on a smooth Chepauk pitch, the left-hander found his form, easing the concerns of the Indian team management over his sudden slump.
The 25-year-old was involved in two excellent partnerships — 48 for the opening wicket with Sanju Samson and 72 off 42 balls with Ishan Kishan (38) for the next wicket — providing the hosts with a strong platform.
The inclusion of Samson was primarily to break the sequence of left-handers at the top, but pairing him with Abhishek proved to be a good decision. The Kerala right-hander scored 24 off 15 balls, easing any nerves his partner may have had.
Once Samson departed, lofting pacer Blessing Muzarabani to Ryan Burl in the deep, Abhishek took charge of the Indian innings. He smashed Tino Maposo, Brian Bennett, and Richard Ngarava for sixes as India raced to 80 for one in the Power Play segment, their second best after the 86/1 against Namibia in a group match.
The bat flow, foot movement, and hand-eye coordination, which had been missing recently, returned as he reached his fifty off just 26 balls with a single off spinner Sikandar Raza. More importantly, Abhishek looked confident against off-spin, his nemesis in previous matches, using his feet better.
Abhishek’s aggression and the generosity of Zimbabwe fielders helped India maintain their momentum even after the Power Play, scoring 81 runs between overs seven and 14. The visitors were also guilty of poor catching, dropping Kishan (26) and Suryakumar Yadav (8).
However, Abhishek could not extend his innings further, skying Maposa to Raza in the deep, much to Zimbabwe’s relief.
Hardik-Tilak Fire
However, the relief was short-lived as India’s middle-order batters, who had struggled to accelerate on slower surfaces in earlier matches, found their range on the mixed soil surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
India reached 100 runs in 9.1 overs, but the next 100 came in just 7.3 overs. Pandya (50 not out) and Tilak (44 not out) used the long handle to great effect, adding 84 runs for the fifth wicket as India maximised the final five overs, in which 80 runs were scored.
Pandya reaffirmed his status as a death-over specialist with a typically explosive fifty, but Tilak’s performance might have pleased the think tank the most. Before this match, the left-hander was striking at a below-par 118, but the true-paced Chennai pitch helped him accelerate his strike rate to 275.
Once India posted that massive total, it was always a question of margin, and the bowlers, led by left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh (3/24), executed their plans perfectly to safeguard India’s title defence.
IND vs ZIM – Brief Scores:
India 256/4 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 55, Tilak Varma 44 not out, Hardik Pandya 50 not out; Sikandar Raza 1/29).
Zimbabwe 184/6 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 97 not out; Arshdeep Singh 3/24).
(With inputs from Agencies)
