Kochi: Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya played key roles in steering India to defeat Zimbabwe by 72 runs in their must-win Super Eight match to qualify to
the Quarter final of the T20 World Cup 2026 in Chennai on Thursday.
Abhishek smashed a brisk 55 to provide early momentum with Sanju Samson (24) after Zimbabwe sent India to bat first winning the toss.
Ishan Kishan (38) and Suryakumar Yadav (33) made valuable contribution while
Hardik Pandya hit an unbeaten 23-ball 50.
Tilak Varma made 44 not out off 14 balls.
For Zimbabwe Brian Bennett top-scored with an unbeaten 97. Zimbabwe were restricted to 184 for six in their 20 overs. India pacer Arshdeep Singh took three for 24. India will now face West Indies in a virtual quarter-final on Sunday. The winner of the contest will enter the semi-final, while the loser will be knocked out.
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India enters QF of T20 WC
