Abhishek, Hardik hit fifties as India post massive 256/4 against Zimbabwe; Sanju's playing

India gave a good account of themselves, with every misfiring batter stepping up, to post a massive 256/4 against Zimbabwe in a must-win Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup in Chennai on Thursday.

Abhishek Sharma got his first half-century of the event, hitting 55 off 30, while Sanju Samson made a return to the opening role and played a handy 15-ball 24 that set the tone for big hits from the middle order. Tilak Varma was the other batter in search of redemption, after going a run-a-ball in recent matches. Tonight, the left-hander fired an unbeaten 44 off 16, while Hardik Pandya finished with a flourish, scoring 50 not out off 23.

Sanju began with a second-ball six, and India finished with 17 sixes, the most they had hit in a T20 World Cup match.

Sanju, who had been included in place of Rinku Singh, was caught at deep midwicket, dismissed by pacer Blessing Muzarabani, who generated extra bounce from a length ball.

Sikandar Raza had won the toss and told Suryakumar Yadav to bat first. India must win this match to stay in contention for the semifinal spot, having lost heavily (by 76 runs) to South Africa in their first Super Eights match.

Sanju and Abhishek had powered India to 48 in the 4th over, the best opening stand by the hosts in the tournament. With Ishan Kishan walking in at No 3, India reached 109/1 in 10 overs.

Earlier, South Africa won their second match of the Super Eights with a convincing nine-wicket win over West Indies in Ahmedabad earlier in the day to place a firm foot in the semifinals.

Brief scores: India 256/4 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 55, Hardik Pandya 50 not out, Tilak Varma 44 not out, Ishan Kishan 38, Suryakumar Yadav 33, Sanju Samson 24)