Chennai, Feb 26 (UNI) After the batters stole the show recording the highest ever T20 World Cup total, defending champions India kept its semifinals afloat with a thumping 72-run win over Zimbabwe, which was knocked out of the race after suffering its second successive defeat in key Super 8 contest at the MA Chidambaram stadium here on Thursday night.
After India registered its highest ever total of 256 for four which also turned out to be this edition’s highest total, thanks to the batter firing in unison with opener Abhishek Sharma, returning to form after three successive ducks, and Hardik Pandya and Tilak Varma providing the final flourish, the bowlers rose to the occasion.
Faced with a mounting target, the Zimbabweans were never in the hunt and always lagged behind the massive asking rate and eventually finished at 184 for six, despite opener Brian bennett plough a lone furrow and remained unbeaten till the end scoring 97 runs in 59 balls with eight fours and four sixers, registering his third half century in this edition.
There was no substantial contributions from the rival batters as they flattered to deceive after a promising start with the Indian bowlers applying the brakes picking up wickets at regular intervals, with the left arm seamer Arshdeep Singh bagging three, including double strike in a single after a stunning review.
Except skipper Sikandar Raza (31, 21 balls, two fours and two sixers) and a run-a-ball by opener Marumani (20, 2×6) none of the batsmen were able to cope with the cohesive Indian attack, surrendered meekly, being knocked out after promising show in the league phase earlier.
Arshdeep finished with three for 26 in his four overs, despite the sixth bowler SHivam Dube leaking 46 in his two overs, that helped Zimbabwe to reduce the losing margin.
The only birght phase for Zimbabwe was the 72-run third wicket stand between Bennett and the skipper in 6.5 overs, but the target proved too uphill to surmount losing wickets at regular intervals.
With Zimbabwe knocked out of the semifiinal race, India would now need to an encore against its final outing against the rampaging West Indies in its final encounter, to make the last four grade.
Having registered its first win in Super 8, India, after the hammering against South Africa, was placed third in the points table with negative runrate. West Indies, with plus NRR is second behind leaders South Africa, which had qualified for the semifinals and would take on Zimbabwe in their last outing, while India will come face to face with the Carribeans in a must win contest, with the NRR set to decide the second team from this group.
India has yet another challenge on its hand.
Following is the scoreboard :
India : 256 for four in 20 overs.
Zimbabwe :
Brian Bennett (not out) 97
Tadiwanashe Marumani c Ishan b Axar Patel 20
Dion Myers c Tilak Verma b Varun Chakravarthy 6
Sikandar Raza c Abhishek b Arshdeep Singh 31
Ryan Burl lbw Arshdeep Singh 0
Tony Munyonga b Arshdeep Singh 11
Tashinga Musekiwa c Sanju Samson b Shivam Dube 7
Brad Evans (not out) 1
Extras : (LB-1, NB-2, W-7) 11
Total : 184 for six in 20 overs.
Fall of wickets : 1-44, 2-72, 3-144, 4-144, 5-162
India bowling :
Arshdeep Singh 4-0-24-3
Hardik Pandya 3-0-21-0
Jasprit Bumrah 3-0-21-0
Varun Chakravarthy 4-0-35-1
Axar Patel 4-0-35-1
Shivam Dube 2-0-46-1.
