Picture Credit : BCCI
India beat Zimbabwe by 72 runs in the Super 8 match of the 2025 WT20. It was a clinical performance from the Men in Blue with both bat and ball. India were put into bat first and made a few changes to the side with Sanju Samson and Axar Patel returning to the side. Sanju Samson started brilliantly smashing a six to get off the mark. He departed for 24 of 15 but provided India with the start they needed. Abhishek Sharma went all guns blazing and along with Ishan Kishan ensured India got a great start. India scored 80/1 in the powerplay and took complete command of the game.
Ishan Kishan was the second wicket to go as he was dismissed for 38 and India were 120/2 in the 11th over. Abhishek Sharma completed his half century of just 26 balls as he returned to form. He was dismissed for 55 and Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav took off as he smashed 33 runs of just 13 balls. India had a great second half of the innings where they scored more than 100 runs in the last seven overs.
Hardik Pandya completed his 50 of just 23 balls and his knock included two fours and 4 sixes. Tilak Varma also was excellent as he smashed 44 runs of just 16 balls as he played at a strike rate of 275. It was a day to forget for the Zimbabwe bowlers as India finished with a total of 256/4 at the end of first innings. It was an above par total on that surface.
Zimbabwe openers started cautiously and they did not lose a wicket in the powerplay but the scoring rate was very low. Just after the powerplay ended, Marumani lost his wicket as Zimbabwe lost the first wicket for 44. Brian Bennett continued his fine form as he smashed a flurry of boundaries. He took Axar Patel to the cleaners. Varun Chakravarthy came back into the attack and picked up a wicket as it was a bit too much for Zimbabwe from there on. Indian bowlers were excellent and kept Zimbabwe to 78/2 at the end of 11 overs.
Zimbabwe batted really well as Bennett smashed an unbeaten 97* and Zimbabwe ended up with 184/6 as India won the match. Hardik was the player of the match for his terrific performance and this was a crucial win for India and sets up this group really. India and West Indies match on March 1 will be a virtual quarter final game and the winner will go to the semi-finals. Both West Indies and India have one win and a loss in two matches so the final Super 8 fixture between these two sides is very crucial for this WT20.
