India back in business with solid win over Zimbabwe; Bennett's valiant 97 in vain

India gave a good account of themselves, with a solid 72-run win over Zimbabwe, after posting a massive 256/4 in the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup in Chennai.

Team India needed a big win, not just to boost their net run rate, but to erase any lingering doubts after the humbling they received at the hands of South Africa.

Brian Bennett fought well in the losing cause with a valiant 97 not out off 59 balls as Zimbabwe’s innings ended at 184/6. For Zimbabwe, two heavy defeats should signal that their semifinal hopes have evaporated.

South Africa defeated the Windies by 9 wickets earlier in the day to place a firm foot in the semifinals. But Zimbabwe’s exit has sealed their progress, and the second spot in the semifinals remains to be settled between India and West Indies. That battle will be fought at the Eden Gardens on March 1.

Tonight, India clicked in every department, with pacers proving economical, and Arshdeep Singh among the wickets (3/24). But the best part was seeing every misfiring batter in the blue corner step up to the challenge.

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. 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.

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) bt Zimbabwe 184/6 in 20 overs (Brian Bennett 97 not out, Sikandar Raza 31, Arshdeep Singh 3/24)