Sanju starts well, but falls in powerplay after Zimbabwe won toss in must-win game for India

Sanju Samson's return to India's XI against Zimbabwe did not result in the spectacle that was expected of him in the T20 World Cup. The Kerala star was caught at deep midwicket for 24 off 15, dismissed by pacer Blessing Muzarabani, who generated extra bounce from a length ball in Chennai.

Sanju had been included in place of Rinku Singh, while Axar Patel replaced Washington Sundar. Sikandar Raza had won the toss and told Suryakumar Yadav to bat first. India need to win the match to keep their semifinal hopes alive. Suryakumar said Sanju will also play as the wicketkeeper, with Ishan Kishan taking the outfield duties.

Sanju began with a straight six off Ngarava in the second ball of the innings. He also belted one over long-on off Muzarabani before the lanky pacer got his revenge in his second over.

But Sanju had ensured that India got to their best start for the opening wicket, getting the total to 48 in the 4th over. With Ishan Kishan walkin in at No 3, India reached 109/1 in 10 overs. 

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

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

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