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India vs Zimbabwe Highlights T20 World Cup: IND set up virtual quarterfinal, monster batting display earns 72-run win

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup Highlights: India score 256/4 thanks to a comprehensive batting display and that is enough to seal a 72-run win as Zimbabwe don't quite find the power they need to challenge a record total. Brian Bennett continues his fine tournament with a strong 97*.

Key Events
  • 5:05 PM IST, Feb 26India win it – Zimbabwe lose by 72 runs, and are eliminated
  • 4:53 PM IST, Feb 26Arshdeep again! Uproots Munyonga's middle stump
  • 4:46 PM IST, Feb 26Arshdeep strikes twice in three balls!
  • 4:36 PM IST, Feb 26Dube's 10-ball over goes for 26!
  • 4:27 PM IST, Feb 26105/2 after 14 overs
  • 4:22 PM IST, Feb 26Bennett brings up his fifty with six off Bumrah!
  • 4:14 PM IST, Feb 26Varun strikes! 2 down
  • 4:10 PM IST, Feb 2619-run over! Something for Zimbabwe fans to cheer for
  • 4:01 PM IST, Feb 26Got him! Axar Patel strikes, removes Marumani
  • 3:53 PM IST, Feb 26Bennett brings out the football skills to prevent a chop on
  • 3:47 PM IST, Feb 2625/0 after 4 overs
  • 3:33 PM IST, Feb 26Pinpoint first over from Arshdeep, just 4 off it
  • 3:31 PM IST, Feb 26Chase begins for ZIM with a mountain to climb
  • 3:17 PM IST, Feb 26India finish on 256/4!
  • 3:12 PM IST, Feb 26Tilak explodes! 21-run over
  • 3:07 PM IST, Feb 2619-run over! And India break a record
  • 3:02 PM IST, Feb 26200 up with 3 overs to play!
  • 2:57 PM IST, Feb 26Tilak off to a good start, 187/4 with 4 to play
  • 2:50 PM IST, Feb 26And he's gone! SKY's brilliant cameo ends
  • 2:48 PM IST, Feb 26Suryakumar slaps a big six!
  • 2:38 PM IST, Feb 26Abhishek holes out! Dismissed on 55
  • 2:35 PM IST, Feb 264, 6! Suryakumar off to a brisk start
  • 2:30 PM IST, Feb 26Now Suryakumar escapes with a drop!
  • 2:24 PM IST, Feb 264, 6, out! Kishan departs
  • 2:23 PM IST, Feb 26Fifty for Abhishek!
  • 2:19 PM IST, Feb 26Kishan survives a drop!
  • 2:14 PM IST, Feb 26Couple of quiet overs after spin introduced
  • 2:06 PM IST, Feb 26Abhishek ends powerplay with emphasis! Six takes IND to 80/1
  • 2:00 PM IST, Feb 26Abhishek finding his range! Another six over the leg-side
  • 1:53 PM IST, Feb 26Samson picks out deep square leg! Good start thrown away
  • 1:49 PM IST, Feb 2623-run over! India are sprinting
  • 1:45 PM IST, Feb 26Much more like it from Abhishek! Over the off-side
  • 1:41 PM IST, Feb 26Another six for Samson! Takes on Muzarabani
  • 1:36 PM IST, Feb 2613 off the first over
  • 1:34 PM IST, Feb 26Boom! Samson hits second ball for six
  • 1:31 PM IST, Feb 26Sanju Samson steps out to open!
  • 1:17 PM IST, Feb 26Zimbabwe's XI – one change
  • 1:13 PM IST, Feb 26India's playing XI – Samson and Axar come in
  • 1:06 PM IST, Feb 26Sikandar Raza wins the toss, opts to BOWL FIRST
  • 12:55 PM IST, Feb 26Minutes away from the toss
  • 12:46 PM IST, Feb 26Proteas win – and Indian victory sets up virtual quarterfinal
  • 12:28 PM IST, Feb 26Will Kuldeep Yadav come into the team?
  • 12:15 PM IST, Feb 26Zimbabwe's MVP – Blessing Muzarabani
  • 12:00 PM IST, Feb 26An hour to go for the toss
  • 11:51 AM IST, Feb 26The Axar Patel vs Washington Sundar debate
  • 11:36 AM IST, Feb 26India desperate for top order to find some form
  • 11:18 AM IST, Feb 26South Africa chasing 177 in Ahmedabad
  • 11:05 AM IST, Feb 26India's first match in Chennai this tournament
  • 10:53 AM IST, Feb 26India rooting for South Africa in ongoing match?
  • 10:42 AM IST, Feb 26Both teams in after opening losses
  • 10:17 AM IST, Feb 26HELLO AND WELCOME!
IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: India seal a comprehensive 72-run victory in Chennai to set up a knockout game against West Indies in Kolkata.
IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: India seal a comprehensive 72-run victory in Chennai to set up a knockout game against West Indies in Kolkata.

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup Highlights: India seal a 72-run win that brings them back to winning ways, on a night that the batting finally clicked as they piled on 256/4. It was always going to be a little bit too much for Zimbabwe, whose campaign comes to an end, but not without a spirited 97* from the bat of their in-form opener Brian Bennett, who continued a special tournament on a personal level. Three wickets for Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya earns player of the match honours.

An incredible showing with the bat for India, as they hammer 17 sixes to score 256/4 – the team's highest total at a T20 World Cup, second highest overall. The entirety of the batting contributes with excellent scores, starting at the top where Abhishek Sharma found his groove. Cameos from Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav were followed by incredible blitzes from Hardik Pandya with 50*, and Tilak Varma with an incredible 44* off just 16 deliveries.

India are suddenly in a spot of bother as they try to defend their ICC T20 World Cup title on home turf. A heavy, bruising loss in Ahmedabad at the hands of South Africa means India can no longer afford any kind of misstep – they have to win, keep winning, and probably win big.

With Group 1 qualification on the line, India simply must get points on the board as they face Zimbabwe. The Chevrons are an exciting and talented team, but are entering the match after a bruising encounter of their own – one in which they conceded 254 to the West Indies, undoing all the momentum of wins over Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stages.

Suryakumar Yadav and team will be breathing a sigh of relief that Zimbabwe don't have that mountain of momentum behind them, but will be aware that they themselves have struggled to get that rhythm into their plans and play. The troubles are many, particularly with the batting, which has failed to click at all – the opening pair hasn't lasted longer than nine deliveries this entire tournament, and Tilak Varma's scratchy form at number three has meant that India are consistently on the back foot through the middle overs and into the death.

Changes should be expected with India needing to find the spark for the remainder of their campaign. The team might back themselves to be good enough to get the result today, but much of the game will be played with the knowledge that they need to send a statement to the likes of England, South Africa, and New Zealand, who might be sensing blood in the water. India don't want to be knocked off their perch as being the team to beat in the tournament – and they need a performance to remind their rivals of that fact.

India vs Zimbabwe Playing XIs:

India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

Zimbabwe XI: Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (c), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava

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An incredible showing with the bat for India, as they hammer 17 sixes to score 256/4 – the team's highest total at a T20 World Cup, second highest overall. The entirety of the batting contributes with excellent scores, starting at the top where Abhishek Sharma found his groove. Cameos from Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav were followed by incredible blitzes from Hardik Pandya with 50*, and Tilak Varma with an incredible 44* off just 16 deliveries.

India are suddenly in a spot of bother as they try to defend their ICC T20 World Cup title on home turf. A heavy, bruising loss in Ahmedabad at the hands of South Africa means India can no longer afford any kind of misstep – they have to win, keep winning, and probably win big.

With Group 1 qualification on the line, India simply must get points on the board as they face Zimbabwe. The Chevrons are an exciting and talented team, but are entering the match after a bruising encounter of their own – one in which they conceded 254 to the West Indies, undoing all the momentum of wins over Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stages.

Suryakumar Yadav and team will be breathing a sigh of relief that Zimbabwe don't have that mountain of momentum behind them, but will be aware that they themselves have struggled to get that rhythm into their plans and play. The troubles are many, particularly with the batting, which has failed to click at all – the opening pair hasn't lasted longer than nine deliveries this entire tournament, and Tilak Varma's scratchy form at number three has meant that India are consistently on the back foot through the middle overs and into the death.

Changes should be expected with India needing to find the spark for the remainder of their campaign. The team might back themselves to be good enough to get the result today, but much of the game will be played with the knowledge that they need to send a statement to the likes of England, South Africa, and New Zealand, who might be sensing blood in the water. India don't want to be knocked off their perch as being the team to beat in the tournament – and they need a performance to remind their rivals of that fact.

India vs Zimbabwe Playing XIs:

India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

Zimbabwe XI: Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (c), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava

Follow all the updates here:
Feb 26, 2026 10:35:47 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: India win it – Zimbabwe lose by 72 runs, and are eliminated

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Bennett starved of strike late on, so even a 6 and a 4 off the last two balls can only take him to 97*. Excellent hand by him, but the Chevrons are nowhere close at the end of it.

India eliminate Zimbabwe with this win, wipe out their NRR deficit, and now have a virtual quarterfinal against the West Indies to look forward to in Kolkata on Sunday.

Feb 26, 2026 10:23:20 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Arshdeep again! Uproots Munyonga's middle stump

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Timber! Perfect yorker. Fast and straight and Munyonga nowhere close.

10 balls left of this one. Bennett on 85*.

Feb 26, 2026 10:16:32 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Arshdeep strikes twice in three balls!

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Couple of more wickets via Arshdeep Singh! Raza caught on the boundary and then Burl misses a straight one, out LBW after a review.

Arshdeep ending the innings with his tail up.

Feb 26, 2026 10:06:32 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Dube's 10-ball over goes for 26!

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Expensive over from Dube to say the least. But Brian Bennett has been so impressive even in this innings, hadn't been a six-hitter but is flexing some of his power today. Onto 78* off 48 with a six off a free-hit.

Feb 26, 2026 9:57:34 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: 105/2 after 14 overs

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Six overs to play, this will just be about how clinical India can be to get a big win and offset their opening loss.

Feb 26, 2026 9:52:56 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Bennett brings up his fifty with six off Bumrah!

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Statement shot! Not afraid to take on Bumrah as he returns for his third. It's a lovely swing of the bat over the leg-side, and his incredible tournament continues. One to be proud of for the 22-year-old.

Feb 26, 2026 9:44:00 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Varun strikes! 2 down

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Second wicket down! Looped up nicely by Varun, and Myers gets more elevation than distance. Nicely taken by Tilak in the deep.

73/2 at the halfway mark.

Feb 26, 2026 9:40:50 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: 19-run over! Something for Zimbabwe fans to cheer for

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Axar Patel gets the treatment from Brian Bennett, who has been so impressive all tournament. Tonks two sixes and a four off his bowling, and that's some good hitting.

Feb 26, 2026 9:31:19 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Got him! Axar Patel strikes, removes Marumani

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: There's the first wicket for India! Axar Patel does the trick. Right after the powerplay, Marumani tries to pump it over cover inside the ring but doesn't get the elevation he was after. Ishan Kishan times his jump and claims the catch.

44/1.

Feb 26, 2026 9:23:36 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Bennett brings out the football skills to prevent a chop on

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: How about that for some footy talent! Bennett digs out a Bumrah yorker, and it looks like it's about to loop back onto his stumps after being jammed into the ground. Bennett is quick to reacts, flips around and volleys the ball far away from his stumps.

33/0 after 5 now. Spin on.

Feb 26, 2026 9:17:40 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: 25/0 after 4 overs

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Boundaries proving tough to come by and the required rate already climbing higher than Zimbabwe would like. Hasn't been the start they needed, but both openers still in.

Feb 26, 2026 9:03:54 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Pinpoint first over from Arshdeep, just 4 off it

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Nothing loose for Zimbabwe to pounce on. And the pressure is already on for Zimbabwe.

Feb 26, 2026 9:01:00 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Chase begins for ZIM with a mountain to climb

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Now back for the chase. Zimbabwe will know they will need something that is essentially a miracle against this bowling unit. Net run-rate doesn't matter much from here on, but India will want to ensure they still catch up with West Indies, just in case.

Feb 26, 2026 8:47:54 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: India finish on 256/4!

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Three perfect yorkers to start the over off but Hardik Pandya still gets a four and a six away to close things off, and reach his half-century in the process!

India finish on 256/4. The second-highest total in the history of the T20 World Cup. Everyone with knocks to enjoy, including the top order, crucially.

Feb 26, 2026 8:42:57 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Tilak explodes! 21-run over

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: What hitting from Tilak Varma! He too has played himself into form after being asked to come in with this finishing role. Gets a couple of balls he can swing hard at, and he connects. Second one is a rip full toss that he sends a long, long way.

241/6 with the last over coming up. Can they get to 260 even?

Feb 26, 2026 8:37:07 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: 19-run over! And India break a record

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Big over for India! Tilak Varma races away to 28*(10) and he is looking to seal his place in future matches with this kind of innings.

220/4 with two overs to play, and this is already India's largest T20 World Cup score. Overtakes when Yuvraj Singh's six sixes helped them to 218 all the way back in 2007.

Feb 26, 2026 8:32:33 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: 200 up with 3 overs to play!

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Excellent hit by Tilak Varma to send a six a long way over the off-side. Good batting, and India onto 201/4 with 3 overs to play.

Feb 26, 2026 8:27:35 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Tilak off to a good start, 187/4 with 4 to play

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Nice start from Tilak! Using the pace on offer to cut then scoop a pair of fours. He will need to use his crease to find the boundaries late on after being pushed ahead of Dube in this stage of the innings.

India probably looking at 240 as their target score from here.

Feb 26, 2026 8:20:54 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: And he's gone! SKY's brilliant cameo ends

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Big wicket for Zimbabwe to stem the momentum! He was going very hard at it and finding success, but that one is sliced into the off-side. Good catch taken in the deep.

Very good 33(13) from SKY, he was set for a big one. 172/4 with 5.1 overs to play.

Feb 26, 2026 8:18:44 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Suryakumar slaps a big six!

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Some shot! Very un-SKY, pure power and brute force. Clears his front leg and cross-bats it a long way over square leg. Don't see that from him often, but it's effective!

Feb 26, 2026 8:08:09 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Abhishek holes out! Dismissed on 55

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: That will make Maposa feel better! A slower ball which Abhishek is early into, so off the toe-end of his bat and not enough distance. Easily taken at long-on, and hung onto.

Abhishek has very much played his role here, and will be feeling much better after 55(30). Good innings from him – Hardik Pandya comes in with the score at 150/3 with 7.1 overs to play.

Feb 26, 2026 8:05:06 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: 4, 6! Suryakumar off to a brisk start

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Suryakumar Yadav is off on a tear! We know all about his leg-side play but expressive through the off too. Gives himself room and carves four over the men in the ring behind square, then dances down and drives one all the way for six.

Has been a day to forget for Mapusa – Abhishek also hits him for a four down the ground, he has gone for 38 off his first 10 deliveries.

Feb 26, 2026 8:00:21 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Now Suryakumar escapes with a drop!

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: The Indian captain has some fortune go his way! Plays one of his pick-up shots into the leg-side but Zimbabwe have a man on the boundary there. Unfortunately Muzarabani picks it up late and is slow to react – doesn't even get hands on it as it evades him and slips under to go for four!

Feb 26, 2026 7:54:20 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: 4, 6, out! Kishan departs

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Ishan Kishan steps on the gas but is dismissed just as he does! Hammers a four then a six right back down the ground off Raza. The Zimbabwe captain pulls his length back, and gets reward – a thick outside edge on the cut shot, and it loops to short third for a simple catch.

Still, a good knock of 38(24) from him. Has set the table.

Feb 26, 2026 7:53:14 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Fifty for Abhishek!

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: There's Abhishek Sharma's maiden World Cup fifty! He's had to wait longer than he would have liked, but it has been a fine innings so far. 26-ball fifty, with four sixes thus far. Looking for a big one.

Feb 26, 2026 7:49:06 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Kishan survives a drop!

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Ishan Kishan gets away with one! Tries to hit a switch hit but gets it a little too square towards backward point in the deep, and the man on the boundary doesn't react on time. He is a little flat-footed and doesn't quite get there, drops short and gives him a bonus life.

Abhishek Sharma hammers another six very next ball.

Feb 26, 2026 7:44:47 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Couple of quiet overs after spin introduced

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Kishan and Abhishek happy to show Raza and Bennett's off-spin some respect as they come on. Rotate strike but don't try to attack. That will change soon.

Feb 26, 2026 7:36:08 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Abhishek ends powerplay with emphasis! Six takes IND to 80/1

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Shot of the day so far! Stable base, lovely swing of the bat, high and handsome back over the bowler's head.

Abhishek Sharma off to a flier. 33*(13) for him.

Feb 26, 2026 7:30:10 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Abhishek finding his range! Another six over the leg-side

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Good hit from Abhishek Sharma! Zimbabwe asking him to swing across the line and for now Abhishek is succeeding in finding the middle of his bat. Towering six over midwicket.

63/1 after 5 overs.

Feb 26, 2026 7:23:24 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Samson picks out deep square leg! Good start thrown away

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Blessing Muzarabani strikes! Very similar to how Samson was dismissed earlier in the tournament against Namibia. There's a man in the deep and he tries to take him on, but not enough on it. Fielder can run in and take a simple catch.

48/1. Samson was looking good too.

Feb 26, 2026 7:19:48 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: 23-run over! India are sprinting

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Great start for India as Abhishek Sharma picks up his first six, off a slower ball! It's now 46/0 after 3 overs and this is looking set to be by far India's best powerplay of the tournament. Much more like it.

Feb 26, 2026 7:15:45 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Much more like it from Abhishek! Over the off-side

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Much more like himself right there, from Abhishek! Overpitched outside his off-stump, and he can play a lovely drive over extra-cover for four.

Gets a free-hit too, and that shot is also a great one as well – overpitched but he doesn't try to swing out of his shoes, and plays a lovely check drive over the bowler's head. Looking much more comfortable so far.

Feb 26, 2026 7:11:30 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Another six for Samson! Takes on Muzarabani

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Great shot! Zimbabwe's premier bowler on but Samson ready to take the challenge to him. Makes some room and it's a similar shot, off the backfoot and swatted over mid-on. All the way for six.

Feb 26, 2026 7:06:31 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: 13 off the first over

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: 13 runs come off the first over thanks to those boundaries. Samson retains strike heading into the second.

Feb 26, 2026 7:04:01 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Boom! Samson hits second ball for six

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: What a shot that is from Sanju Samson! It's short and pace on, but Samson has made his mind up to tonk it down the ground. Cross-batted and over mid-off all the way for six!

Next ball off his thigh pad and runs away for four leg-byes.

Feb 26, 2026 7:01:00 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Sanju Samson steps out to open!

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: So there is confirmation – it is Sanju Samson opening with Abhishek Sharma as India look for variety at the top of the order.

Crucial game and ready to get going now, against Richard Ngarava.

Feb 26, 2026 6:47:02 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Zimbabwe's XI – one change

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: A solitary change for Zimbabwe too as Maposa comes in for Cremer.

Zimbabwe XI: Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Brian Bennett, Dion Myers, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza (c), Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Brad Evans, Tinotenda Maposa, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava

Feb 26, 2026 6:43:39 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: India's playing XI – Samson and Axar come in

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: The big information is that Sanju Samson does come in with Rinku Singh dropping out. Will be very interesting to see the batting lineup now. Axar Patel does come in for Washington Sundar too.

India XI: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson (wk), Ishan Kishan, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah

Feb 26, 2026 6:36:37 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Sikandar Raza wins the toss, opts to BOWL FIRST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: The toss goes in Sikandar Raza's favour and he opts to BOWL FIRST. Says his hand is holding up okay but they didn't take the x-ray just to ensure he could play here.

SKY says India wanted to bat first anyway, so good for India. Team news next.

Feb 26, 2026 6:25:35 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Minutes away from the toss

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Nearly time for the toss in Chennai now, where Suryakumar Yadav and Sikandar Raza will meet in the middle.

Feb 26, 2026 6:16:22 PM IST

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: Proteas win – and Indian victory sets up virtual quarterfinal

IND vs ZIM T20 World Cup LIVE Score: It's all over in Ahmedabad, where clinical South Africa win by 9 wickets and qualify through to the semifinals. India's turn to get business done on their end, which would set up a delicious win-or-go-home match in Kolkata on Sunday. But focus will be in Chennai first, where the toss is around the corner.

Feb 26, 2026 5:58:54 PM IST

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: Will Kuldeep Yadav come into the team?

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: One concern cited was with the lack of true strike bowlers at important times through the middle overs against South Africa, as India often went too defensive against the marauding David Miller and Dewald Brevis. With Varun Chakravarthy having an off-day, India might have benefitted from Kuldeep Yadav's inclusion. However, that would likely come at the expense of batting depth, which can often be so crucial in T20 cricket.

Feb 26, 2026 5:45:47 PM IST

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: Zimbabwe's MVP – Blessing Muzarabani

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: Zimbabwe have plenty of quality players who have done good work to help them get to this stage, with batters like Brian Bennett standing up. However, the team's true gamechanger and the player who will concern India the most is Blessing Muzarabani. The extra-tall seamer has had a phenomenal tournament, with a player of the match performance against Australia. His steepling bounce, seam, and pace has made him a real threat, and with how vulnerable India's batting has been near the top, he could have an outsized impact. Attacking him will be key for India's hopes.

Feb 26, 2026 5:30:56 PM IST

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: An hour to go for the toss

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: In six matches at Chepauk thus far this tournament, three have been won batting first and three batting second. In that sense, neither team will be afraid of some bias after the toss. Both might prefer to chase – Zimbabwe will be slightly scarred from the battering at the hands of the West Indies, but a good chase against Sri Lanka should still be their template. India might prefer chasing too – although the struggled against South Africa, that might be the easier route to take to establish a big net run-rate boost given the team's batting form.

Feb 26, 2026 5:21:26 PM IST

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: The Axar Patel vs Washington Sundar debate

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: At the toss against South Africa, captain SKY said Axar Patel was unfortunate not to find a game, with tactics being cited as the reason to persist with Washington Sundar. Washi didn't bowl much, and his promotion up the order didn't bear fruit either. While both players are of great quality and have similar skillsets, Axar's added experience and greater comfort acting as a stopper with the bat higher up the order might see him get the nod.

Feb 26, 2026 5:06:01 PM IST

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: India desperate for top order to find some form

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: India's biggest concern right through the tournament has been the inability for the top order batters to click simultaneously. While Suryakumar Yadav came good against USA and Ishan Kishan against Pakistan, it has never worked cohesively – but the biggest concern is Abhishek Sharma's total lack of form since his illness earlier in the tournament. A strong Abhishek is often enough to decide games himself. At the moment, India will be afraid that his lack of runs makes him almost a liability. He should certainly be backed, but there is much to think about.

Feb 26, 2026 4:48:59 PM IST

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: South Africa chasing 177 in Ahmedabad

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: Half-time in the day match in Ahmedabad, and India will know that the Proteas need 177 to win against the Windies. That would put them through to the semifinals – and then if India manage to win against Zimbabwe later today, sets up the India vs WI game in Kolkata on Sunday as a virtual quarterfinal.

Feb 26, 2026 4:35:48 PM IST

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: India's first match in Chennai this tournament

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: India head over to Chepauk for this match, having played their last two games in Ahmedabad and earlier games in the other venues across India and Sri Lanka. Chennai has seen a few games where it has proved to be a slightly better batting track than predicted, with runs on offer and a flatness that has allowed explosive batting. Could be India's best opportunity to get some rhythm into the batters at the top of the order.

Feb 26, 2026 4:23:30 PM IST

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: India rooting for South Africa in ongoing match?

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: Over in Ahmedabad, South Africa are taking on West Indies for a win and a place at the top of the table, and safe qualification through to the semifinals. India might want to keep qualification in their own hands, which means they might want the Proteas to help out with a win over the Windies. A Windies win could mean it becomes a net run-rate race in the best-case for India. So we will keep half an eye on that match too – South Africa on top, but Romario Shepherd threatening late on.

Feb 26, 2026 4:12:01 PM IST

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: Both teams in after opening losses

IND vs ZIM Live Updates: India and Zimbabwe both suffered opening match losses in Group 1, losing to South Africa and West Indies respectively. Both were heavy losses to boot – India's batting fell apart and left them chasing shadows, while Zimbabwe's bowlers were slaughtered as they conceded 254 against the Windies. This means this match is suddenly a crucial one to get off the foot of the table, and to fiz the net run-rate to boot.

News Cricket News India vs Zimbabwe Highlights T20 World Cup: IND set up virtual quarterfinal, monster batting display earns 72-run win